#with a side of questionable people not talking to each other

[paxaz535]

what we already knew - paige x reader

you and paige had been best friends since forever… however, things change.

timestamps, hickeys, underage drinking, partying, pinning

part one of two

———————

you and paige had been best friends since the womb. literally. born just weeks apart in minnesota, you two were tied together long before you could even speak. your mothers — ami and tiana — were best friends in high school, practically inseparable. you were pretty sure they planned their pregnancies together, determined to raise their daughters side by side.

and it worked.

the moment you met, something just clicked. granted, you didn’t start talking until you were about one — and even then it was just babbling nonsense — but it was your nonsense. something about the way you two would sit and chatter to each other like you had your own baby language made everyone around you melt.

ami and tiana used to call you two “their little princesses.” they were obsessed with the princess and the frog — ami swore she was lottie reincarnated — and you were their legacy. your bedroom was decked out in pinks and tiaras, stuffed frogs and glittery dresses. paige always leaned more toward purple than pink, but she still had a lottie doll sitting on her shelf, gifted by your mom.

titles never really mattered though. you didn’t need to be called “best friends” to know what you were to each other. it was just… you and paige. always had been. always would be.

you both got older, changed, grew into yourselves — but you never grew apart. sure, you fought sometimes. slammed doors, gave each other silent treatments over petty things. but that’s what best friends did. they argued. they forgave. they stayed.

and no matter how the world shifted around you, the constants stayed the same: sleepovers that turned into all-nighters, movie nights curled under the same blanket, swimming until your fingers pruned. the kind of friendship people wrote stories about.

you were living one.

you never kept track of the moment things started to change — maybe because nothing really did at first. you were just you, and paige was just paige. best friends. a given. a constant.

but eventually, the little things started to feel… different.

you remembered the first time she braided your hair in high school — not the messy kind she used to do when you were eight, where she’d tie three strands and hope for the best. this time she was focused, careful, her fingers gentle. she hummed something under her breath as she worked, and when she was done, she smiled and said, “there. you look perfect.”

it shouldn’t have made your stomach flutter the way it did. but it did.

still, you brushed it off.

there were other moments too — moments you tried not to overthink. like the time you two went shopping together and she made you try on this soft lilac hoodie that she swore would look better on you than it did on the hanger. you came out of the fitting room, and she stared for a second too long. not in a weird way. just… quiet. soft-eyed. like she was thinking something she didn’t know how to say.

“see?” she said finally, her voice a little quieter than usual. “told you.”

you took it home. you still had it.

and then there were the nights. the late ones. when sleepovers turned into something slower. not romantic, not exactly — just close. sometimes you’d wake up and realize one of you had reached for the other in your sleep. her arm slung around your waist. your forehead tucked against her shoulder. neither of you ever moved. it felt too natural to question.

but you never talked about it. not really. you weren’t sure if she noticed. or if she did, she was just better at pretending.

and then came college. uconn. everything moved fast — new people, new routines, new distractions — but somehow, you and paige stayed. even when you didn’t share the same dorm, you found time. a random tuesday night could turn into a four-hour facetime, her voice low while she laid in bed, telling you about her day. you’d listen, your cheek pressed to your pillow, smiling for no reason.

you told yourself you were just close. that it was normal to feel so tethered to someone. that it was just history — deep-rooted, unshakable history.

but every time her hand found yours without thinking…

every time her laugh made your chest tighten…

every time she looked at you like you were more than just familiar…

you wondered if maybe, just maybe, you weren’t the only one feeling it.

-

december 2016

it was new year’s eve, and you and paige always celebrated making it through another year together. your moms threw a party every year for friends and family, and this time, it was at your house. last year, it had been at paige’s.

you had recently gotten into makeup and decided to wear a little tonight — just enough to feel pretty. you already were, but a little dazzle never hurt.

“sweetie!”

you smiled at your mom’s voice, rushing downstairs. ami and paige were in the kitchen, watching you as you came down the steps.

you screamed and immediately jumped on paige.

she laughed, catching you in a hug. she was wearing blue joggers and a white hoodie with a singular snowman on it. her hair was down, soft and blonde, and her blue eyes lit up with joy when she saw you.

“we just saw each other yesterday, cheeky,” paige said with a smirk.

you rolled your eyes at her words, that nickname she had for you getting more and more annoying every time she said it. “so? and stop calling me that!”

ami laughed from the counter as you walked over and reached for her. she hugged you tightly. “i will never stop calling you that,” paige declared dramatically as she went to hug your mom, arms slinging around tiana like she was her second daughter. your mom laughed too, “you two act like you haven’t spent almost every day together since birth.”

“because we have,” you muttered, shooting a look at paige who was grinning like she won something. “okay, you two,” ami said, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “go play or something while we finish the food. people should be arriving soon.”

you quickly grabbed paige’s hand and were about to drag her upstairs when you paused. “wait—is that one kid coming? he’s so annoying.”

paige immediately laughed, already knowing exactly who you meant.

tiana shot you a look, her finger pointed in warning. “yes, he is coming. and no, he’s not annoying—he’s just… energetic.”

you and paige both rolled your eyes in sync before heading upstairs.

once you reached your room, you rushed her inside and closed the door behind you. paige glanced around, her eyes landing on the makeup scattered across your desk.

“ah,” she said, smirking a little. “so that’s why you’re all glammed up.”

you followed her gaze, then laughed. “yeah. just wanted to try something new.”

paige sat down in the chair, spinning it slowly before stopping to look at you again. her voice dropped a little, softer than before.

“you’re already pretty, cheeky. you don’t need makeup.”

your heart did that thing again — a quick skip, like it was trying to tell you something you didn’t fully understand yet. “thank you, P,” you said softly. “but it’s new year’s, so… i just did something simple.”

paige nodded, her eyes still lingering on your face. “it looks good.” you smiled, and for a second, the room fell quiet. not awkward quiet—just that kind of stillness where something was brewing. something playful. something… sneaky. paige caught on right away. she tilted her head, already shaking it. “no. whatever it is, no.”

“come on, paige,” you grinned, standing in front of her with your hands clasped together. “just a little.” she glanced at the makeup scattered across your desk, then back at you with a deadpan look. “girl. we are two completely different skin colors. how is that gonna work?”

you burst out laughing, clutching your stomach. “i’m obviously not gonna use my foundation, silly. just some eyeshadow and lip gloss.” she sighed, already defeated. “fine. but only those two. nothing more.”

you jumped up, clapping. “alright, move!”

paige moved her arms off her lap, giving you room. you didn’t hesitate—you sat right down in it, straddling her waist like it was the most natural thing in the world.

except… it wasn’t. not like this.

you two always sat in each other’s laps. at hangouts, during movie nights, when one of you was too lazy to grab another chair. but this felt different. more direct. closer. you suddenly felt your heart beating faster, your hands a little unsure of where to rest. “this is okay… right?” you asked quietly, your voice barely above a whisper.paige looked up at you, her expression soft. she nodded without hesitation.

“of course.”

you gave a small nod, trying to breathe normally as you reached for the eyeshadow palette.

paige stayed still beneath you, her hands resting on your thighs like it was nothing—like this was just another wednesday at your house. but your hands? your hands were slightly shaking. not enough to be obvious. just enough that you noticed. you opened the palette, trying to act unbothered. “okay, we’re gonna do something light. little shimmer. nothing crazy.” paige raised an eyebrow. “better not be glitter.”

you gave her a look. “what do you take me for?”

“a glitter girl.”

you laughed, dipping the brush into a soft bronze shade. “i’m not a glitter girl. i’m a subtle sparkle girl. big difference.” she smirked, but her eyes followed your movements closely as you leaned in and gently touched the brush to her eyelid.

the room was quiet again. just the soft sound of music drifting from downstairs. faint laughter. the smell of food cooking. but here—in your room, on her lap, eyes inches from each other—it felt like the world had narrowed down to this exact moment.

you focused, carefully sweeping the shadow across her lid. paige’s eyes stayed closed, her breathing slow. you could feel her chest rise and fall beneath you, steady and warm. “you’re really good at this,” she murmured, barely opening one eye.

“thanks,” you said, softer now.

you reached for the lip gloss and unscrewed the top. it was a clear shimmer, subtle but pretty. “ready?” she nodded once, and you leaned in again—this time even closer, your hand steadying her chin as you applied the gloss. her lips parted slightly, instinctively. and your face was so close, you could see every freckle, every eyelash.

your thumb brushed her bottom lip by accident and—

your breath caught.

paige blinked, eyes meeting yours. something flickered between you—something unspoken, but loud all the same.

neither of you moved.

neither of you said anything.

you just stayed there, inches apart, the air between you charged in a way it hadn’t been before. “you done?” she asked, her voice quieter now. a little hoarse.

you nodded slowly. “yeah…”

but you didn’t move.

and neither did she.

suddenly—

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

the sound jolted you both. it felt like getting caught doing something you weren’t supposed to, even if nothing had happened.

you blinked, quickly finishing up the last swipe of lip gloss. paige leaned back as you stood, casually closing the tube and smoothing your top like you hadn’t just been sitting in her lap, inches from her face.

you walked over to the door and opened it—only to be met with three familiar faces: your cousin and two of paige’s.

“auntie told me y’all were in here,” your 14-year-old cousin said bluntly before pushing past you and stepping inside like she owned the place.

paige sat up straighter on the chair, a grin forming when she saw her cousins.

katie, the loudest of the group, immediately zeroed in on her. “oh my gosh, is paige wearing makeup? girl, what have you done to my cousin?” she said, eyes wide as she turned to you.

you laughed, caught somewhere between flustered and entertained. your eyes flicked to paige again, who was already looking at you, her lip gloss catching the light and making her smile look… softer. warmer.

you turned slowly back to the younger girl, still grinning. “relax. it’s just lip gloss and eyeshadow. i didn’t glam her up for the red carpet.”

“mm-hmm,” your cousin said, folding her arms. “but she letting you do it, though.”

paige shrugged, unfazed. “she asked nicely.”

your heart did that stupid skip again. “yeah, yeah, whatever,” katie muttered, sitting herself on the edge of your bed. “but don’t let her touch your eyebrows, paige. she almost waxed mine off last thanksgiving.”

“that was one time!” you argued.

the room filled with laughter, but behind it, that quiet tension still pulsed—hidden now, under noise and company, but very much still there.

you rolled your eyes and tossed a pillow at katie, who ducked and laughed way too hard for someone who had just barged into your room. the other two cousins were already snooping through your vinyls and bookshelf like it was a public library.

“you guys are so nosy,” you muttered, plopping down on the edge of the bed next to paige. she looked over at you, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “they’re kind of like little tornadoes.” you leaned in slightly, voice low enough for just her to hear. “well. tornadoes ruin everything.”

she chuckled under her breath, but there was a look in her eye—like she knew exactly what had been interrupted “so,” one of her cousins suddenly blurted out, turning around with a mischievous grin, “were y’all about to kiss or something before we came in?”

your whole body went stiff.

“what?” you snapped, a little too fast, a little too defensive. “no. ew.” paige just blinked, startled but clearly trying not to laugh. her lips parted, like she was about to say something, but she didn’t. she just sat there, silently amused. “sure,” katie teased. “i bet you were on her lap.” you grabbed a throw pillow and smacked her with it. “shut up, katie.”everyone burst out laughing again, but you didn’t miss the way paige looked at you through it all—quiet, unreadable, but aware.

she didn’t deny it.

she didn’t tease you back.

she just… watched.

“KIDS! food’s ready!”

you heard your mom’s voice echo from downstairs, followed by a thunderstorm of feet as your cousins bolted out of the room like it was a race.

you and paige moved slower, neither of you in much of a rush. you were almost at the door when paige reached out and gently grabbed your wrist. you stopped, turning to look at her. “what?” she didn’t let go right away. her fingers just held there, soft and a little hesitant.

“nothing,” she said, almost too quiet.

you waited.

then—she looked up at you, something unreadable behind her eyes. “i just… i liked that. earlier.” your heart skipped again. you swallowed, suddenly feeling that same stillness from before settle between you. “me too.”

a pause.

the hallway behind you was loud, voices overlapping, silverware clinking somewhere far off. but in your doorway, time felt stuck. like she wanted to say something else but wasn’t sure if she should.

“we should go,” you said gently, voice almost a whisper. she nodded, letting your wrist go slowly. “yeah.”

but her hand brushed yours one last time before she stepped past you.

-

february 2018

you two were now seventeen. more mature. more aware of everything.

your body had changed—curves a little fuller, your face a little sharper. and paige? she’d gotten taller. stronger. basketball kept her lean and locked in, and you loved every second of it. not that you told her that out loud.

she was in canada with the USA basketball team for the next two days, so you were flying solo back home. but it wasn’t terrible—she texted you constantly, like the distance barely even existed.

she’d send pictures of the court, random meals she was eating, hotel views. at one point, she sent a selfie with two other girls—one brunette, one blonde.

you stared at the photo for a second longer than you meant to before texting her.

cheeky

who are they? they’re so pretty.

paigey p

hailey and azzi

they said hi

cheeky

tell them i said hi !

paigey p

i gotchu

how are you though?

i miss you

you stared at the screen.

you knew she meant it in a friendly way. she had to. you’d known each other since diapers, literally. “i miss you” was part of your normal vocabulary.

but still.

you sat there cheesing at the screen like an idiot, your heart fluttering in a way that was anything but friendly. you tried to fight it off, tried to tell yourself you were reading into things. but lately… it’d been getting harder to pretend.

she missed you.

and maybe… maybe you missed her in a way she hadn’t even noticed yet.

cheeky

i’m good

i miss you too

what about you?

the typing bubbles appeared.

then disappeared.

then came back.

you stared at the screen, biting your lip, wondering if you said too much—or not enough.

finally, the message came through:

paigey p

i’m good

my body hurts tho lol

you smiled immediately, your fingers moving before your brain could overthink it.

cheeky

yea it’s cause you putting in work

paigey p

lmfao

you know it

your heart thumped a little harder in your chest. you could almost hear her laugh through the screen, the exact way it sounded when she found something genuinely funny—head tilted, eyes squinted, her shoulders shaking a little.

you missed that laugh more than you wanted to admit.

paigey p

you around anybody?

can we call

i wanna hear your voice

you had to turn off your phone.

your chest felt tight, your fingers frozen.

what were you even supposed to say to that?

you stared at the dark screen for what felt like forever, letting your thoughts race and your heart beat too fast. but the silence didn’t help. it only made you miss her more.

so you turned it back on.

no reply.

no text.

you didn’t even think about it.

you just tapped her name.

FaceTime.

ringing…

your leg bounced as you waited, your heart practically in your throat.

then the screen lit up, and there she was—hoodie on, hair messy, laying in some unfamiliar hotel bed. her face softened the second she saw yours.

“hey,” she breathed, like she’d been waiting all day for this.

you tried to hold in your smile, but it slipped out anyway. “hey.”

for a second, neither of you said anything.

just… stared.

quietly happy. quietly wrecked.

you adjusted your phone, laying back against your pillows, trying to play it cool even though your heart was doing the absolute most.

“you good?” paige asked, voice low, the corners of her lips twitching like she wanted to smile but was holding back.

you nodded. “yeah. just… wasn’t expecting you to say that.”

“say what?”

“that you wanted to hear my voice.”

paige looked down for a second, scratching at her brow. “i mean… i always wanna hear your voice. just don’t always say it out loud.”

you didn’t respond right away. the honesty in her voice—so casual, like she didn’t even realize the weight of what she was saying—made your throat tighten.

you tried to laugh it off. “you’re soft tonight.”

“maybe,” she shrugged, but there was no teasing behind it. “i miss you.”

there it was again.

and this time, it hit even harder.

you stared at the screen, watching her eyes—not the player, not the loud presence everyone knew her for—but the version of her that only you really knew. the one who stayed on FaceTime for hours. the one who made up dumb inside jokes. the one who used to let you sleep on her shoulder during movies.

“you say that a lot lately,” you whispered.

“’cause it’s true.”

another beat of silence.

you swallowed. “i miss you too.”

paige looked at you like she was trying to memorize your face. like she wanted to reach through the screen and pull you close.

“you look pretty,” she said softly. “even with the bonnet.”

you let out a real laugh then, eyes crinkling. “shut up.”

“nah, for real. you do.”

you looked away, hiding your smile with your hand. “you’re being real sweet tonight, P.”

she nodded slowly, then leaned back into her pillow. “maybe ‘cause i’ve been thinkin’ about you more than usual.”

your heart skipped.

“oh,” you breathed.

“yeah,” she said, eyes not leaving yours. “like… a lot.”

your heart stopped. it was all too much.

but it was cute.

this was your best friend.

you let out a small chuckle, eyes dropping from hers as you tried to steady yourself. “that’s cute. same though.”

paige grinned at you, blue eyes still locked in. there was something warm behind them, like she was thinking too hard about everything she wasn’t saying.

then, suddenly—

“you got a valentine yet?”

your head snapped toward the screen, your expression immediately turning deadpan. “i haven’t had a valentine since, like… sixth grade,” you said flatly. “no one wants me for real.”

you tilted your head back, staring at the ceiling like it didn’t hurt to say out loud.

but it did. just a little.

paige didn’t laugh.

her voice was soft when she spoke. “that’s not true.”

you shook your head, letting out a breath before looking back at her. “but it is. and it’s okay though. i’ll survive.”

her eyes searched yours through the screen. you could tell she wanted to say more—but she didn’t. instead, her silence filled the space with something that said everything.

you waited.

but all she did was keep staring at you, her expression unreadable, the light from her hotel room casting soft shadows over her face.

then you heard it.

a girl’s voice in the background—

light, casual, like she belonged there.

“paige. coach is doing check-ins, so you might wanna head to bed soon.”

your heart dropped.

the shift was instant. like someone had pulled you out of something soft and safe and tossed you back into reality.

she wasn’t yours.

and you weren’t hers.

not really, anyway.

you stayed quiet, staring at the screen as paige turned her head, responding to the girl off-camera with a quick, “aight, i’ll be there.”

then she looked back at you.

your smile was forced now, tucked into the corners of your mouth. “you should probably go,” you said, pretending like your chest didn’t feel heavier than it did ten seconds ago.

paige frowned slightly. “i don’t want to.”

“but you have to,” you said gently. “coach’s orders.”

she didn’t argue. she just sighed, eyes lingering on your face like she didn’t want to forget it overnight.

“i’ll call you tomorrow?” she asked, voice quieter now. more careful.

you nodded. “yeah. tomorrow.”

she hesitated, then—“’night, cheeky.”

your throat tightened. “goodnight, paigey.”

and just like that, the screen went dark.

you were alone again.

in your room.

your phone face down.

and for the first time in a while, that didn’t feel normal.

it felt like something was missing.

because it was her.

-

somehow, you survived.

two whole days without her.

but today—

today was the day paige came back to minnesota.

you were excited.

nervous.

all of the above.

your phone was already charged, notifications on loud. you kept checking the clock like time was playing games with you. your room was cleaner than it had been in weeks—just in case she came over. you even changed your outfit twice, not that you’d admit it to anyone.

it was stupid, maybe.

but you missed her.

and now that you knew what it felt like to miss her in that way—not just as your best friend, but as something more—you didn’t know how to sit still.

your phone buzzed, and you didn’t even check who it was. you just grabbed it like it had been waiting to be in your hands.

paigey p

home.

you up?

you smiled before you could stop yourself, fingers flying across the screen.

cheeky

duh.

how long before you pull up on me?

paigey p

on my way rn.

your heart skipped.

you stood there for a second, frozen, staring at your reflection in the mirror.

she was really coming back.

and something told you… this time, things might feel different.

not even ten minutes later, the doorbell rang.

tiana was downstairs at the table, glasses perched on her nose as she focused on a half-finished puzzle.

“is that paige?” she asked, not looking up.

you didn’t even answer with words—you just sped to the door.

“yeah!” you called over your shoulder, fingers fumbling to unlock it.

you were still turned halfway toward your mom when you pulled it open, fully expecting the usual: a hoodie, a smile, maybe a dumb joke.

but what you saw?

your breath caught in your throat.

your eyes widened, and your hand flew over your mouth on instinct.

paige stood there on your porch, cheeks flushed from the cold, a big pink poster in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other.

the sign was simple—pink with white letters that she’d clearly written herself:

‘wanna be my valentine?’

you didn’t speak.

you couldn’t.

and maybe she saw the panic in your silence, because her expression changed—eyes darting down, her posture shifting like she regretted it immediately.

“as best friends, obviously,” she added quickly, voice a little rushed. “like—i just thought it’d be funny. cute. you said no one asked you, so…”

her words trailed off, her gaze unsure now.

you blinked, still frozen, heart pounding way too fast.

and then—

you laughed.

not because it was funny, but because you didn’t know what else to do with the way your chest felt. like it was full of air and static and something brand new.

“you’re so annoying,” you said quietly, stepping out onto the porch, eyes soft as you looked at her.

but your smile?

your smile said yes.

-

july 2018

fourth of july meant two things: fireworks and the fact that you and paige were finally allowed to have a few drinks.

no, you weren’t of age yet—but both your moms agreed that two max was fine since you were home and supervised. and honestly? you were excited. it felt like a rite of passage. “i wonder what they’re gonna give us,” you said to paige as you sat side by side in the basement.

the place was spacious and sleek—marble floors, black and white decor, the kind of setup that made you feel a little too grown even if you were still technically a kid. you wished it was just the two of you, but the basement was full—your cousins from new year’s were here again, plus a few extra faces from the family.

“i don’t know,” paige said, stretching her legs out in front of her. “but hopefully something strong.”

she stuck her tongue out after saying it, eyes playful.

you laughed, your head falling to her shoulder naturally, like it belonged there. she chuckled too, glancing down at you with that little smirk she always got when she caught you in a genuine laugh.

“you’re silly.”

you were about to say something back—but then erica came flopping down onto both of you, loud and uninvited.

“hi, paige,” she said, voice dipped in that obvious flirt you hated.

your entire mood shifted in a blink.

you and erica weren’t close. she wasn’t mean, but she had a habit of pushing buttons, and right now? she was pressing all of yours. paige glanced at her, then looked back at you quickly—like she’d sensed it. but you just shrugged, your face blank as you pulled out your phone and started scrolling. “hey, erica,” paige said, polite but dry.

she didn’t push erica off.

but she didn’t lean into it either.

you could feel her shifting next to you, uneasy. and she kept glancing at you, even while erica kept talking. erica kept talking, mostly about nothing—some guy who snapped her earlier, how hot it was outside, how she hated the playlist your uncle made. but her body stayed way too close to paige’s, like she didn’t even see you sitting there.

you weren’t usually the jealous type.

but this?

it had you clenching your jaw without realizing.

you scrolled through your phone, not even reading anything. just trying to look unbothered.

failing.

paige stayed stiff next to you, laughing politely at something erica said. but her laugh wasn’t real. you could tell. you knew it.

then—

she shifted, her hand suddenly brushing against yours.

soft. intentional.

you didn’t move.

she didn’t either.

erica didn’t notice.

but you did.

a few minutes passed before one of the adults upstairs yelled, “drinks are ready!”

then—

“drinks are ready!” your mom called from upstairs.

the room barely reacted—your cousins too busy playing music, talking over each other, or glued to whatever was on someone’s phone. nobody else seemed to care.

except paige.

she stood up right away and turned to you, ignoring erica completely now. “come with me?” she asked, her tone soft—like she needed to get you alone. you nodded, slipping your phone into your pocket as she offered her hand.

you stared at it for a second, then placed yours in hers without saying a word. her fingers closed around yours instantly. you both climbed the stairs quietly. the hallway light was low, the kitchen empty except for your mom and ami, who were still laughing and prepping glasses. two red solo cups sat on the counter with fruit floating in them—one with a slice of lime, the other with a strawberry on the rim.

“two only,” your mom reminded as she handed them over.

“got it,” paige said with a little salute. she grabbed both cups, handing one to you once your moms turned back around.

then she leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.

“you okay?���

you looked at her. really looked at her.

the hallway light caught the side of her face—freckles faint, her jawline sharp, the familiar glint in her eye not as playful tonight. more serious. more focused on you.

“yeah,” you lied.

“you sure?”

you nodded, then without another word, grabbed her hand and ran up the stairs, your laughter echoing behind you.

paige followed close, smiling so wide her cheeks hurt, trying not to spill her drink clutched in her hand. “don’t make me drop this cup!”

“then run faster!” you giggled back, tugging her until you both tumbled into your room.

you shut the door with your foot and immediately locked it. knowing your cousins? they had no concept of privacy.

“same time?” you asked, raising your cup.

paige grinned and nodded. “same time.”

you both brought the cups to your lips and took a huge swig.

you pulled back quick, face scrunching slightly. it was sweet—fruity—but the alcohol was definitely there.

paige, meanwhile, was still sipping hers like it was juice.

you watched her in disbelief, wiping your lip with the back of your hand.

“damn, p,” you laughed. “if i didn’t know any better i’d think you did this already.”

she lowered her cup with a satisfied ahh, her grin lazy. “what can i say? i’m a natural.”

“mmhm,” you said, teasing, flopping back onto your bed. “you’re gonna be the one knocked out first.”

“nah,” she said, flopping beside you. “i’m gonna be the one making sure you don’t do anything dumb.”

you turned your head, facing her. “you’re already failing. i invited you up here.”

that made her laugh. that soft, husky laugh that only came out when she was really feeling it.

“okay, touché.”

you laid there for a second, both of you staring at the ceiling. your pinkies brushed again on the blanket.

neither of you moved. you finished your drink.

both cups were empty, resting on the floor near your bed like a secret no one else needed to know.

at first, everything felt normal.

a little warm, a little fuzzy.

but then—

five minutes later, it hit.

not hard, but different.

your body didn’t feel like your own in the usual way.

lighter. softer. your skin more aware of everything it touched—especially her.

“you feel that too?” you whispered, voice low.

you turned your head slowly, eyes landing on paige.

she was still staring at the ceiling, her arms behind her head, lips parted just slightly like she was letting herself breathe. her lashes looked darker in the soft bedroom light.

she nodded once.

still looking up.

“yeah,” she mumbled. “everything feels… floaty.”

you hummed in agreement, blinking slowly.

your hand was resting on the blanket between you, just a few inches from hers.

you stared at the space in between.

“i feel like i’m not thinking about stuff as much,” you said after a beat. “like my head got quieter.”

paige turned her head now, her gaze finding yours. there was no teasing in her face. just honesty.

“what kinda stuff?”

your throat tightened.

but the words were closer to the surface now. closer than ever.

“you.”

you said it so quietly, like it slipped out without permission. like it had been sitting on your tongue for months, just waiting for the right moment to fall. paige didn’t say anything at first.

she just looked at you.

and you watched her chest rise and fall, like she was feeling the weight of your words before she could respond to them. “me?” she finally asked, voice barely above a whisper. you nodded, cheeks warm—not sure if it was from the drink or the way she was looking at you now. like you weren’t just her best friend anymore. like she was seeing you all over again for the first time.

“what about me?” she asked again, softer this time. like she wanted to hear you say it in full. like she needed you to.

you stared at her.

then looked back at the ceiling.

then back at her.

“everything,” you said.

paige’s breath caught.

and she didn’t even try to hide it.

you could feel her shift beside you, like her body was reacting before her mouth could catch up. she rolled onto her side to face you completely now. her voice was quiet but steady. “how long?” you gave a little laugh, one that held no humor—just nerves. “too long.”

her hand found yours under the blanket. slow. unsure. but deliberate. your fingers curled into hers instantly, like it had always been waiting to happen. “me too,” she whispered.

and in that moment—eyes locked, hearts unspoken but understood—it didn’t matter that you were tipsy, or that no one else in the world knew what this was yet.

you knew.

and so did she.

“this won’t be weird… right?” she asked quietly, her voice barely there as she scooted closer, knees brushing yours under the blanket.

you mirrored her movement, your body instinctively closing the space between you. her face was so close now, the tips of your noses almost touching.

your eyes dropped to her lips.

then back up to her eyes.

you shook your head slowly, heart pounding against your ribs. “no, it won’t.”

paige blinked, like she was still making sure. still giving you a chance to back out.

but you didn’t.

neither of you did.

her breath hitched. then she whispered, “okay.”

and that was all it took.

her hand slipped around the back of your neck, soft and tentative, like she was still asking permission even as she leaned in. your lips met in a kiss that was barely even a kiss at first—just a touch, a pause, a breath shared between two people who’d been circling each other for years.

then her lips pressed a little firmer into yours, like she couldn’t stop herself.

and you melted.

your hand found the side of her waist, grounding yourself as everything else around you disappeared—no cousins, no parents, no holiday.

just her.

and you.

and the kiss you never thought you’d actually get.

her lips moved against yours with a soft urgency, gentle at first, like a question whispered in the dark. but then—like something inside both of you finally gave way—it deepened. your heart thundered as her hand tangled in your hair, pulling you closer, and your fingers curled around the curve of her neck, needing to feel every inch of her.

the world outside your room blurred into nothingness, replaced by the heat between you. her breath mixed with yours, shaky and sweet, as she kissed you harder—more sure. you responded with everything you had, like making up for all the years you’d kept these feelings locked away.

your lips parted, and her tongue slid out to gently explore, sending sparks racing down your spine. you groaned softly, unable to hold back the wave of emotion rushing through you. she pulled back just enough to catch her breath, eyes dark and shimmering, before diving back in.

your hands roamed, tracing her curves as your bodies pressed together, tangled in sheets and new desires.

it was messy, breathless, perfect.

like coming home after being lost for so long.

your lips parted again, soft and searching, as her tongue traced yours gently, exploring with the curiosity of someone discovering something precious for the first time. your breath mingled, shallow and quickening, every touch sending sparks that curled down your spine and settled warm in your chest.

her hands moved with purpose now—one sliding from your neck to your shoulder, fingers tracing the lines of your collarbone, the other still tangled gently in your hair, pulling you closer as if she never wanted to let go. you responded, your fingers finding the curve of her waist, drawing her impossibly near, feeling the steady beat of her heart beneath your palm.

the kiss deepened, slow and intoxicating, a perfect rhythm of give and take, soft sighs slipping between your mouths. neither of you rushed—there was no need—this was everything you’d been waiting for, unfolding exactly how it should. time slipped away—minutes stretching into eternity—as you both lost yourselves in each other, tangled together in a quiet, desperate kind of bliss.

you pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, your breath still catching. the words slipped out, half shy, half daring:

“can i give you a hickey?”

paige blinked, surprise flickering across her face. then a slow, mischievous smile spread over her lips.

her voice was soft but teasing. “only if you can.”

the challenge hung between you, electric and thrilling.

you leaned in again, your lips brushing against the sensitive skin of her neck, just below her jaw. paige’s breath hitched as you pressed your mouth there, your teeth gently nipping, leaving a warm, unmistakable mark. paige’s breath hitched as you pressed your mouth there, your teeth gently nipping, leaving a warm, unmistakable mark.

you felt paige’s fingers tighten in your hair, a soft gasp escaping her lips as your teeth grazed her skin again—gentle, careful, but undeniably there. her head tilted slightly, giving you better access, and you didn’t hesitate. the warmth of your mouth left a trail that was both tender and thrilling, making your own pulse race.

paige’s breath hitched, and you could feel the way her body leaned into yours, seeking closer contact, more connection. your hands slid up to cradle her face, thumbs brushing over her cheekbones as you kissed her again—this time on her lips, slow and deep, tasting her with a hunger that had been quietly building for so long.

every touch, every sigh, every breath felt like a promise, unspoken but understood.

when you finally pulled away, your foreheads resting against each other, your eyes locked, the room spinning softly around you, paige whispered, “you’re dangerous.”

you smiled against her skin, “only for you.”

and just like that, the world outside your room disappeared completely, leaving just the two of you—entwined, vulnerable, and exactly where you belonged.

then—

a sudden voice sliced through the quiet moment.

“girls? come on, we’re about to do fireworks.”

it was your mom, calling from downstairs, her tone cheerful but firm. paige and you exchanged a quick glance, breath still caught, cheeks flushed from more than just the drink.

reluctantly, you pulled away a little, smoothing your hair and trying to settle your racing heart. “yeah, fireworks,” paige murmured, a shy smile tugging at her lips. you nodded, giving her hand a small squeeze before standing. but inside, you both knew—this night had already changed everything.

you grabbed your cups and stood, still holding paige’s hand for just a second longer than necessary. the buzz from the drinks mixed with the heat of the kiss left your skin tingling. as you headed downstairs, the sounds of laughter and the faint crackle of fireworks outside pulled you back to reality—but your mind stayed tangled with paige’s.

outside, the sky exploded in bursts of color, lighting up the night. paige stood close beside you, her shoulder brushing yours, both of you watching the sparks bloom overhead. for a moment, the world felt perfect and simple, like maybe this was just the start of something you’d both been waiting for all along. and in the warmth of the summer night, you silently promised yourself you wouldn’t let go.

-

october 2023

“so… how do you girls feel being twenty two?” ami asked as she, tiana, you, and paige all sat in your apartment off campus. you couldn’t stand being in the dorms—uconn was bogus for them. paige didn’t have much to complain about, though. being an athlete meant her dorm setup was way nicer.

you and paige looked at each other before shrugging.

“the same, really,” you said, glancing over at the adults.

tiana gave you a look. you raised your hands in surrender.

“i’m serious, ma. it’s been chill.”

she didn’t look convinced, but she let it go.

you felt paige’s eyes on you and turned to meet her gaze, her expression unreadable but warm.

“okay… any updates on anything?” ami asked, her tone light, but you could tell she was fishing for something.

you looked at ami, trying to play it cool. “updates like…?”

she gave you a little side-eye. “any updates. life. love. anything new you wanna share?”

you glanced at paige, who was already looking at you with that calm, steady stare she always gave when she was hiding something behind her eyes.

“school’s school,” you said slowly. “work’s fine. nothing crazy.”

paige chimed in next. “basketball’s picking up again. but yeah, nothing major.”

tiana raised an eyebrow, not buying it. “mm. y’all always act like y’all don’t do anything, then i find out through instagram stories.” you laughed. “you act like we’re out here wildin’.”

“you might be,” ami said, smirking. “but it’s not like either of you tell us anything anymore.”

“that’s not true,” paige defended, leaning forward a little. “we just—”

“keep stuff to yourselves,” tiana finished for her. “we know.”

the room got quiet for a second. you and paige shared another glance. hers felt heavier this time. knowing. like she was daring you to say something.

but you didn’t. not yet.

“well,” ami said, stretching. “no pressure. just know we notice everything.” tiana raised her glass. “to twenty two. and whatever secrets you two think you’re hiding.”

you laughed again, clinking glasses, but your heart beat a little faster when paige’s fingers brushed yours beneath the table. tiana checked the time on her phone before sighing, already standing. “well, i have to get going. work is gonna fuck me in the ass.”

your head snapped toward her, paige doing the exact same thing beside you.

“ma?!”

“tiana?!”

both of your voices overlapped in shock, eyes wide. ami nearly spit out her drink, covering her mouth as she laughed. “girl—what?!” tiana just grinned, slipping her jacket on like she didn’t just say the wildest thing in front of the whole room. “kidding! relax. love you girls.”

you shook your head, still stuck on the sentence. “you can’t just drop that and walk out like it’s normal.”

“you’re lucky i didn’t say worse,” tiana winked on her way to the door. “oh my god,” paige muttered under her breath, laughing as she leaned back into the couch. “your mom’s wild.”

“tell me about it,” you mumbled, still stunned. “i need a minute.”

ami stood up too, grabbing her bag and slipping her phone into her coat pocket. “might as well leave too,” she said, glancing between you and paige with a knowing smile. “see you two soon. don’t be scared to call—unless you’re too busy being secretive.”

you rolled your eyes playfully. “we’re not being secretive.”

“mmhm,” ami hummed, clearly unconvinced as she walked toward the door.

“drive safe!” paige called after her.

“always,” ami replied, winking before stepping out. the door clicked shut behind her, and just like that—it was quiet again. you and paige were finally alone. the apartment felt softer, warmer, like it had been waiting for this moment. you looked over at her.

she was already looking at you.

her leg was tucked under her body, one arm resting on the back of the couch, lips twitching into a smirk. “so,” she said, voice low. “are we really not telling them anything?” you leaned back, heart already picking up again.

“depends,” you replied. “are we something to tell?” paige shrugged, that teasing smile still playing on her lips. “i mean… are we not best friends who make out occasionally?” you stared at her for a second, trying not to laugh—because she wasn’t wrong. you two had been making out ever since that fourth of july, and neither of you had said much about it since. no label. no conversation. just long glances, late-night texts, and kisses that always lasted a little longer than they probably should’ve.

you tilted your head. “i mean… yeah. you’re not lying.”

paige was about to speak before both of your phones lit up at the same time.

groupies 💙

ice

yo party at 8 tonight

it’s gonna be lit

kk

fuck yeah

you

whose party exactly 🤨

amari

does that matter girl

you

yeah it might

ice

just come

promise it’s gonna be lit

paige

we’ll be there don’t worry

you

🙄

nika

yuhhh

you turned your phone off and looked at the blonde, brow raised. “pretty bold of you to say we’ll be there.” she powered her phone off too, setting it aside before glancing back at you. “nah,” she said casually. “but this is though.”

before you could ask, she pulled you onto her lap, her hands sliding up to your thighs with no hesitation.

you yelped, laughing. “paige!”

her grip tightened, eyes never leaving yours. “what? you looked too far away.” you giggled, cheeks warm as her hands stayed steady on your thighs. then she pulled you down a little closer, your faces now just inches apart. “if you wanna make out with me just say that,” you teased, lips curling into a smirk as you adjusted yourself on her lap, shifting slightly until you were comfortable. her eyes followed every movement.

“i don’t wanna make out with you,” she said, her voice low and steady.

you blinked.

“i need to.”

[e1e4n0r5]

The Wolf's Bride: Chapter 4

Masterlist, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

Fandom: Arcane: League of Legends

Pairing: Ambessa Medarda x Targaryen-coded Princess Reader

Words: 2592

Synopsis: You arrive in Noxus, and a crack appears

Warnings: Forced marriage, allusion to infant loss, mention of fingering (r! receiving), jealous partner

“That was a cold goodbye,” Ambessa remarked, standing beside you in the General’s quarters on board.

You’d stood silently during the journey, arms folded tightly across your chest, jaw clenched, watching out the floor-to-ceiling window as the world went by under you, flying towards your new home.

“How would you know? You don’t speak our ‘flouncy language’,” you snapped back.

“My guards heard your parting remarks to your father. Ending a conversation with a threat typically implies that said conversation didn’t go well.”

You shook your head. “Don’t. Please. Just…Just leave it.”

But Ambessa was nothing if not persistent. “Did you get to see your mother?”

Your heart cracked. “No. No, her doctors said…” your throat burned, and you had to clear it. “Her doctors said she was too distressed, and she needed rest.”

Ambessa made a dismissive noise and moved to pour herself a drink from the crystal decanter on the sideboard. “She was in a rather delicate state.” She regarded you closely, watching your eyes shimmer with unshed tears as you worked your jaw. “She can always visit Noxus in the future with your new brother or sister.”

‘If they both survive,’ you thought to yourself.

You looked up as you bit your lip, trying to force your tears back. “Did you need something, General?”

She hummed, walking behind you to your other side. Toying with you; a cat tormenting a mouse. “I just wanted to talk to you. We haven’t had much time to get to know each other.”

You tried not to scoff. “Well, we have the rest of our lives.”

She gleefully ignored your obvious request to be left alone. “Precisely, so let’s start now. What sort of things do you like to do? How did you occupy your time in your old home?”

The tears finally spilt over, and you quickly and angrily brushed them away. “I’d say a better question would be: what am I allowed to do in Noxus? I can’t imagine Noxians care much for embroidery, or horticulture, or dancing.”

Ambessa’s eyes lit up at that. Not cruelly, but with something worse. Interest. “There you are,” she murmured. “I knew there was a spark in there.”

You swallowed hard. Ambessa stepped closer. The woman never raised her voice. She didn’t need to. Her sheer size and presence, the way she looked at people as if deciding whether to devour or dismiss them, did the work for her.

“Let me be clear, little one,” Ambessa said, her tone calm, like a teacher correcting a student. “You’re no longer a little Princess of Valyria. You belong to me now. Noxus took you. I took you. But that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable.”

You turned back to the window, trying to blink away the hot sting in your eyes. “I don’t want your comfort.”

“No,” Ambessa said, taking another sip. “But I think part of you wants my attention.”

Your shoulders jerked. “You don’t know me.”

“I will,” Ambessa said simply.

“I am nothing but a prize to you,” your voice trembled. “Don’t pretend otherwise.”

She let out a thoughtful hum. “Maybe you were a prize. But you’re in my care now. And I’m curious. I want to see what happens when you stop pretending you’re made of glass.”

Your fingers squeezed your upper arms. “You think I’m pretending?”

“I think you’ve been trained to stand still, to smile. But a woman doesn’t look at me the way you did the night I took your city unless there’s something more under the surface.”

“You’re wrong,” you snapped. “I looked at you with fear.”

Ambessa stepped forward until you were inches apart. “Fear and fascination are cousins, little wife.”

You shook your head, chest tight, emotions clawing up your throat. “Don’t call me that.”

“Why not?” Ambessa tilted her head. “You’d prefer I call you something gentler? A pet name, perhaps?”

“Stop it,” you whispered.

But Ambessa didn’t stop. She brushed a strand of your hair behind your ear. “Tell me,” she said softly, dangerously, “When you were tucked up in bed, in those pretty rooms in Valyria, did you ever imagine what would happen if someone like me came for you?”

The air between them was thick. Too warm. Too close.

“I couldn’t imagine anything worse,” you said through clenched teeth.

Ambessa let out a low chuckle and turned away. “Oh, little one, you’ll come to see that I am not the worst thing that could have happened to you. Far from it. Although, from our time together last night, I think you already know that.”

With ashamed tears in your eyes, you watched her stalk across the room, muscles rippling. You hated how commanding she looked, how casually she took up space. You hated yourself even more for looking.

“We’ll arrive in Noxus this evening. You can either stay out here, sulking by yourself for the next eight hours, or rest inside here. We’ll find some way to pass the time,” Ambessa smirked as she opened the adjoining door to her private chambers. “There’s nothing left for you in Valyria, child; there’s no point looking back.”

The air in Noxus was colder than you expected.

Not in temperature, though the mountain winds certainly cut sharper than the dessert stillness of Valyria, but in mood. In weight. The skies above the stronghold were the colour of stone, and the buildings below forged from the same. Everything was stone and iron, high towers and brutal walls, the world around you humming with martial discipline and the clatter of armoured boots. Even the banners, deep red and black, marked with symbols you didn’t yet know, seemed heavier than cloth should be.

You stood at the edge of the airship’s ramp; your fingers curled tightly around the railing as you looked down at the city sprawling below.

Ambessa stood just in front of you, a silent mountain in her own homeland. The General didn’t speak as she disembarked, only motioned with one gloved hand for you to follow. The same gloved hand you’d let her fuck you with on the ride over, begging and weeping in ecstasy on the bed as you fell apart under her, shame burning in your chest the whole time.

Soldiers flanked you, eyes always forward, but you could feel them watching you nonetheless, sizing you up, measuring your spine.

You kept your head high, even as your stomach twisted.

The stronghold at the heart of the capital was not decorative, not gentle, but vast and dark and unapologetically fortress-like. No ornate pillars. No flowering gardens. Just strength.

Your footsteps echoed through its halls as you were led through corridor after corridor. Everything smelled of cold stone, oil, and the faint scent of metal, like sharpened blades kept too close.

Eventually, you stopped before a tall set of double doors.

“These are your rooms,” Ambessa said, pushing the door open.

The doors creaked on massive hinges, revealing a chamber far larger than you had anticipated. It was austere, like everything else in Noxus, but not unkind. A fire crackled in a broad hearth, warming the stone walls. There were thick covers on the bed, drapes at the tall windows, a polished desk, a large wardrobe already partially stocked with clothing clearly meant to be yours.

Across an entire wall was carved a relief of Noxian history: a battle scene, full of armoured warriors and conquest. Blood frozen in stone.

Ambessa entered behind you, slow and heavy-footed. She watched you take it in.

“Not to your taste?” the General asked, her voice low.

“It’s fine. Thank you,” you said genuinely. You had been expecting her to keep you in her rooms, her new little toy close at hand.

Ambessa moved further into the room. “You have your bathing suite,” she pointed to one door, “And your bedroom.”

You looked around, noting the layout. “And Siya?”

Ambessa was visibly unimpressed. “Your maid has a room, through there,” she pointed to another door to the side.

Suspicious, you walked over to it and inspected the room inside, pleasantly surprised. It was a bedroom, though smaller than the rest of your rooms, but at least it was clean, and had been decorated and furnished appropriately.

“There are guards posted just outside,” she said. “Your movements within the castle are not restricted. But you won’t leave the grounds without my permission and an escort.”

You nodded as you looked at the view across your balcony. That was a fairer arrangement than you’d expected.

Ambessa stepped closer – not to touch, but to loom. “You’ll be expected to learn our customs. Attend court and War Council meetings. Represent our union. You’ll be watched – not just by my people, but by my men.”

Your throat tightened. “What am I expected to be, exactly?”

Ambessa’s eyes flickered, not with surprise, but something sharper. “Mine.”

It wasn’t a romantic word, the way she said it. It was ownership. A claim laid bare.

“You’ll learn what that means,” she added.

You turned your back to her, if only to hide the sudden heat in your face – a mix of shame, anger, and something you didn’t want to name. You walked slowly toward the hearth, arms wrapped around yourself.

“I’d like to be alone,” you said softly, “Until Siya arrives with my belongings.”

Ambessa didn’t answer right away. The silence stretched.

“I’ll return later, little wife.”

Then the sound of boots, heavy against stone, retreating. The door closed behind her.

You let out a breath you hadn’t known you’d been holding. You sank slowly onto the chaise near the fire, your body folding inward. Your room – your gilded cage – flickered with firelight, shadows dancing across the carving of war.

You were alone.

The fire crackled softly in the bath suite’s hearth, casting shimmering gold over the bare stone walls of your new chamber. Outside, the wind moaned through the mountain corridors, but inside the bathing room – warm and dim with rising steam – there was a gentle hush.

You sat sunk to your shoulders in the deep, black marble tub, the water scented with your favourite lavender oil. Ambessa’s attentions on the journey had left you aching, your mind brittle. Here, at least, it was quiet. Here, you could almost forget the weight of her gaze. Almost.

Siya had come to your rooms not long after Ambessa had shown them to you. She unpacked what few belongings you had been allowed to bring: a few dresses and robes; some books; a pendant your mother had given you as a child. Now she knelt behind you, massaging your scalp as she washed your hair, knowing your moods well enough to know when to speak and when to simply be there.

After she bathed you in companionable silence, she held out one of your favourite robes. You stepped into it with a grateful smile, sitting comfortably on the platform surrounding the sunken bath.

With practiced ease, she poured a slow stream of oil into her hands and began to gently smooth it up and down your calves.

You relaxed under her hands, eyes closing, letting out a soft sigh.

Neither of you heard the outer door open.

It wasn’t until the thick wooden door to the bathing suite opened, without a knock, that the mood shifted.

Ambessa stepped inside.

She had discarded her armour, clad in a deep crimson sleeveless tunic and black pants, her long shadow filling the room with immediate weight. Her eyes went straight to you – half-dressed, flushed from the heat of the bathwater, seated with one foot resting on Siya’s knee – and then to Siya, still kneeling at your feet with oil-slicked hands on your skin.

The quiet hum of domesticity cracked.

Siya moved back immediately, bowing her head. “General-”

Ambessa didn’t speak at first. Her gaze lingered too long on your exposed legs, the shine of oil on your skin. She stepped forward slowly, as if challenging something unspoken.

“I’ll do that,” she said firmly, stepping forward and holding her hand out for the bottle.

Siya looked at you questioningly. She didn’t express it openly, but you knew her well enough to know what she was thinking: ‘is this woman serious?’

You nodded back tiredly at her. “It’s fine, Siya; if the General would like to, I’ll allow it.” You were too tired to argue.

Ambessa just chuckled as she took the bottle from Siya’s unimpressed hands when the other woman stepped back. “You’ll allow it, wife?”

“Do I not get to choose who attends me?”

Ambessa didn’t answer you. “You may go,” she ordered Siya.

Your closest – only – friend’s eyes met yours briefly, apologetic, uncertain, then she gave a tight nod and disappeared out into your outer room.

The door shut again.

Silence bloomed in her absence.

You turned toward Ambessa. “She’s only doing her job.”

Ambessa approached with the slow certainty of a lioness closing in on her prize. “Is that what it looked like to you?”

“What does it look like to you?” you snapped, folding your arms over your chest, suddenly conscious of how much skin was on display for her. “She’s my friend, my companion, my maid-of-honour. She’s attended me since we were-”

“She’s not your friend anymore,” Ambessa said flatly. “She’s your maid. My soldier. She does what I allow.”

There was a quiet moment, the kind of quiet that left you feeling more exposed than nudity ever had. Ambessa moved closer and knelt at your feet where Siya had been only moments before.

“You’re mine now,” the General said, voice low and deep, not angry but possessive. “Your skin is mine to touch. Your care is mine to provide.”

Without asking permission, Ambessa took your ankles into her hand, resting your feet on her thighs as you had done with Siya. Her grip was firm but not rough. She poured the remaining oil into her palm and began to massage it into your legs with slow, deliberate movements.

“So, you’re going to do this every night, are you?” you challenged, feeling a humiliated anger at Ambessa’s insinuations, at her insistence on corrupting your only friendship. “You’re going to take the time out of your day – morning and night – to dress and undress me; bathe me; oil me, arrange my hair…?”

“Don’t be bratty, child,” she scolded coldly.

You swallowed hard. “You know I’m right.”

Ambessa’s hands were larger than Siya’s, calloused from years of war, but there was surprising gentleness in her pressure. She worked the oil in with methodical focus, watching the path of her own hands, and the way your breath caught as she moved higher.

“You let her touch you like this?” Ambessa asked quietly.

“It’s not like that,” you insisted, somehow feeling weepy. Perhaps it was just the exhaustion of the past several days catching up to you.

Ambessa looked up at you then, sharp and still. “And what would you have let her do, if I hadn’t come in?”

“Ambessa…” you said tearily, shaking your head. “She’s my friend.”

The silence between you became heavier. Ambessa’s hands moved slowly up your thigh. Keeping her eyes on yours, she slid her hand dangerously close to your core.

“The oil doesn’t go there,” you bit, pushing her hand away, crossing your legs defensively.

She just chuckled. “My apologies, little one.”

You didn’t push back. Not tonight. You let Ambessa oil the rest of your legs in silence, each movement staking another claim.

The room had changed. The balance between you shifted, ever so slightly. And you weren’t sure what it meant.

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[sevarchive]

♡ strawberry gummies ──

જ⁀➴ a shidou ryusei story. 3.9k words

synopsis: in which two kids grew up side by side in an orphanage, and swore they’d never leave each other behind, but not all promises survive growing up.

a/n: i really gave this my all, shidou’s a tough one to break in angst, and there’s so little of it out there. i rlly tried. btw this piece was written for a ticket from the ask roulette carnival! visit their original ticket here!

ryusei shidou was born rabid.

that’s what the other kids at the orphanage whispered, wide-eyed, after the first week. after he broke a chair over someone’s back. after he bit a teacher. after he smiled at his own bloody nose like it was confetti.

you were the only one who didn’t flinch.

not because you weren’t scared, you were.  but you’d lived with monsters before.

people who smiled like lies and touched like bruises. people who said they loved you and left you with scars to prove it. you knew cruelty that dressed itself up in soft voices and parental authority.

the first time he talked to you, he was outside alone, holding an ice pack to his jaw and there was blood on his temple, already crusting into his hair.

he squinted at you. “what? you lost or something?”

you shook your head.

“then quit staring. i don’t need your pity.”

still, you didn’t move. you knelt down instead and held out a bandage.

“tch.” he scoffed. “what, you tryna play nurse now?”

you didn’t answer, just started unwrapping the gauze. he hesitated. then, with a dramatic sigh and a roll of his eyes, he dropped onto the ground beside you.

“whatever. just don’t screw it up.”

you dabbed at the cut on his lip gently, and for a moment, he didn’t say anything.

“…you’re not scared of me?” he muttered, quieter now.

“no,” you said.

he didn’t smile, but his shoulders dropped a little.

and when you pulled out an onigiri from your pocket and held it out to him, he blinked, then snatched it from your hand like you might change your mind.

“…fine. but you’re weird,” he said through a mouthful of rice. “don’t expect me to share.”

but when you pulled out a second one, he didn’t argue. and from that day on, he never made you flinch.

time slipped past like a lazy tide. shidou got worse. or better—depending on who you asked. he grew taller, faster, sharper. talent curled beneath his skin like a fuse waiting to burn. feral on the field, a menace off it.

football was the only thing that held his attention. it wasn’t a sport to him. it was instinct. survival. something that lived in his bones and blood, something he sank his teeth into like it was the only way he knew he was alive. the rest of the world was too slow.

too soft. too boring. so he broke it.

but y/n stayed. always.

she watched him turn shin guards into weapons and grins into warnings. sat through suspensions and scoldings. walked him to the principal’s office more times than she could count.

everyone else saw a rabid dog in cleats. but she saw a boy who once gave her half his onigiri when they had nothing else to eat.

on one of those storm-soaked nights, the power flickered out again at the orphanage. she found him in the common room, hunched in the dark with a cut lip, a swollen cheek, and scraped knuckles.

another fight. another blame he never deserved.

someone’s wallet went missing, and no one cared enough to ask questions before pointing fingers. shidou didn’t bother defending himself. not because he didn’t care—because he knew they wouldn’t listen.

he let them hit him first. let them think they were winning before he fought back.

when she sat beside him, he didn’t say a word. just let her place a warm onigiri in his hand and a gummy candy on his knee. she gave him the first bite, even though it was her favorite. and he took it like it meant something.

“If the world’s gonna treat us like trash,” he muttered, “I’m gonna be the meanest, loudest, most dangerous pile of it they’ve ever seen.”

she turned toward him.

his eyes were wild with certainty, gleaming like something alive. he looked like a boy with nothing to lose and everything to prove.

they sat like that, shoulder to shoulder, sharing candy while the rain poured and the world outside spun without them.

and for a moment, even with bruises blooming and silence thick between them, it felt like they’d carved out their own little piece of peace.

like as long as she was there, he wouldn’t fall apart. not completely.

it didn’t happen all at once.

there wasn’t a moment where shidou stopped being the boy who shared half his rice ball in the rain. it was slower than that. quiet. like a door left ajar in a burning house—you don’t realize it until the smoke’s already in your lungs.

he got angrier and more reckless. after school, he’d vanish without a word. sometimes he came back bloodied. sometimes not. you never asked, and he never told you. but he always smiled.

a smile too sharp to be safe.

he started playing like he had something to prove. like scoring wasn’t enough unless he crushed someone to do it. he wasn’t chasing the ball anymore—he was chasing domination. fear. the kind that makes people flinch when he walks by.

you started staying up later. just in case.

and then one night, he knocked.

three slow thuds.

you opened the door and froze.

he was drenched in sweat and someone else’s blood. his shirt stuck to his skin. there was a rip in the sleeve and dried red smeared along his arm. but he wasn’t hurt. not physically.

he was grinning.

not out of joy—because he felt alive.

his eyes sparkled with adrenaline. his fingers twitched at his sides.

“guy pulled a knife on me after the game,” he said, laughing under his breath. “so i broke his wrist. and his face. might’ve cracked a rib too. not mine. his.”

you stared at him.

“was it about me again?”

he scoffed. “yeah. they always think hurting you is the way to get to me. they’re not wrong.”

he stepped into the room like it belonged to him. he was pacing now, still riding the high.

“i told them to stay away. i warned them. i begged them to try me.”

he stopped, turned toward you.

“i can’t let anything happen to you. you’re the only thing i give a shit about off the field.”

you didn’t say a word.

he took another step closer, lowering his voice now, like it mattered.

“you know that, right?”

you looked up at him. his face was flushed. blood dried on his cheek like war paint. he reached up to touch you—just a brush of his fingertips against your jaw. gentle, even now.

“so i scare them. so what? fear’s better than failure.”

“i didn’t ask you to protect me,” you whispered.

he paused. his hand fell back to his side.

“you didn’t have to.”

for a moment, it was quiet. he wasn’t smiling anymore.

he looked away.

“i know you hate it,” he said. “the blood. the fighting.”

you didn’t deny it.

he rubbed his temple, messy blond hair sticking to his skin.

“i don’t wanna miss it,” he mumbled.

you blinked. “what?”

“your birthday. it’s next week, right? sixteenth.”

your breath caught.

he laughed softly—no grin this time. just a small, tired sound.

“i was gonna take you somewhere. somewhere nice. just us.”

you looked at him. he wasn’t angry now. just... worn.

“i remember when you turned thirteen,” he said. “you made me that stupid little paper crown. said i was king for the day. i kept it, you know?”

your chest ached.

“i just wanted to keep you safe,” he whispered. “that's all i was trying to do.”

he sounded younger than you remembered.

for a second, the mask cracked. and behind it, the boy you grew up with was still there. bloody. bruised. tired. but still ryusei.

still yours.

i was holding the damn onigiris again.

tuna mayo. her favorite. the ones we used to split when we were kids. i’d always act like i hated them; too soft, too sweet, but i never said no when she handed hers over. never could.

i was sitting on the curb outside the field. dirt on my cleats. blood dried on my sleeve from some fight i barely remembered. practice was done. the sun was already dipping low. and all i could think about was her.

she wouldn’t get out of my head.

every match, i looked up into the stands like she might be there. every time my fists curled, i heard her voice in the back of my skull, soft and stubborn, trying to reel me in like i wasn’t already too far gone. every time i scored, i thought—she’d be proud of that one. and it pissed me off. how she was still inside me. everywhere.

i wanted her beside me. always. i wanted her to wear my name like it meant something. like a warning. like a promise. because that’s what she was. mine.

even if i never said it, i built entire futures around her in my head. mornings with her humming while she made tea. nights where we argued and yelled and then she’d sit next to me and press her hand to my chest and all the noise would stop. that was the life. the one i wanted. the one i swore was coming.

so i went back. to the orphanage.

i had the onigiris in my bag like some idiot. remembered her saying she missed them once, and i thought maybe—just maybe—if i showed up with them, she’d smile like she used to.

but the second i stepped through the door, i knew. too quiet. too still. no laughter echoing down the hall. no voice calling my name.

the staff looked at me, and i already felt it in my gut.

"shidou."

"where is she?"

they paused. my skin went tight. my jaw clenched.

"where is she," i asked again, lower this time.

"she left. she was adopted."

no. no.

my ears rang. my heart started punching my ribs. adopted. like she was some stray someone could just pick up and take. like she didn’t already belong to me.

i ran. didn’t stop to think. like if i didn’t move fast enough, the world would close around me and rip her out for good.

i saw her. in the back seat of a car. just her outline through the glass.

she didn’t see me. i shouted her name. over and over. my throat burned.

she didn’t turn around.

i ran until i couldn’t breathe. until my legs were jelly and my chest felt like it was going to cave in. like if i just got close enough, i could grab her back.

but i didn’t make it. the lights disappeared. the road went silent. and i was alone. no sound. no blood. no bruises.

no her.

“they’re for you!” i screamed, chest heaving. “i bought them, y/n! with my own fuckin’ money! didn’t steal—didn’t hit anyone—i stayed clean! for you!”

my hands were shaking. the onigiris were half-smashed in my grip, warm and ruined.

“it’s tuna mayo. you like that shit. i remembered. it’s your birthday, isn’t it? sixteen. i was gonna say happy birthday like a dumbass and you’d roll your eyes and—fuck—”

my throat closed up. i could barely breathe.

“why didn’t you wait? why didn’t you turn around?!”

i dropped to my knees, still clutching the food like it meant anything. like it could bring her back.

“i was right there. i was right fucking there, and you left anyway…you left me.”

i turned and slammed my fist into the nearest wall. again. and again. and again. didn’t matter what it was made of. i just wanted it to hurt. i wanted to bleed. i wanted something real. something to hold onto while the rest of me fell apart.

my knuckles split. blood dripped down to my wrist. i kept going. i screamed. not words. just rage. grief. failure. all twisted together, tearing out of me like it would kill me if i kept it in.

i dropped to my knees. breathing like i’d just played the longest match of my life. but there was no whistle. no finish. no reset.

y/n was it. the leash. the brake. the voice in my fucked-up head saying stop. when i was ready to burn the whole goddamn world, she was the reason i didn’t. and now? now she was just gone.

i couldn’t punch through this. couldn’t fight it off. couldn’t bleed hard enough to feel anything but empty.

if someone looked me in the eye right then and told me to give something up—anything—i wouldn’t even blink.

football. my future. my name. everything i ever clawed for.

i’d throw it in the fire, laughing.

just to hear her say my name again. just once. that’s all.

y/n thought that maybe if she stayed quiet, if she didn’t let the weight of it settle too deep, leaving wouldn’t hurt as much. but it did. even now, in a soft apartment tucked into the quiet corners of france, it still ached like an old bruise.

her new parents were gentle. they spoke carefully, always asking how she felt, always treating her like she might shatter if they pressed too hard. but no amount of kindness could reach the place inside her that never left.

her body moved forward, but her heart stayed behind. it stayed with ryusei.

she thought of him more than she wanted to. sometimes it came without warning. the sound of boys yelling on a sidewalk. gravel crunching under worn sneakers. a rice ball in the corner store that looked too much like the ones they used to split. she missed him.

not just the version the world saw, wild and brutal and on fire, but all of him.

the boy who once curled up next to her in the dark and whispered promises he never learned how to keep.

she had told herself that leaving would protect them both. that maybe he would stop fighting so hard if he was not always trying to protect her.

but then she saw him again. not in person, but through a screen. a u-20 match playing late one night. his name caught her off guard, and when she looked, it felt like the air left the room. and when the camera caught his face, she saw the same expression he used to wear when he came home bleeding and didn’t want to talk about it.

after that, y/n could not stop. she watched every match, every interview, every replay. she looked for him in every frame, searching for proof that he was still there, that he had not turned into someone the world could not love. she watched to see if he looked angry. she watched to see if he looked like he remembered. she did not think he ever forgot her. and she knew, without question, that she had hurt him more than she meant to.

if she could go back, if she could hear him calling her name just one more time, she would not have walked away. she would have turned around. she would have stayed.

because she loved him. because she still did. even now, with nothing left but flickering screens and memories sharp enough to bleed.

one night, y/n booked a flight without thinking. told herself it was to watch a match, just to see how he moved now—how he lived without her—but she knew better. it wasn’t about football. it never was. she wanted to see if there was anything left of the boy who once shared half an onigiri with her when they were ten.

she found him outside the stadium, half-hidden by shadow and sweat, hoodie pulled low over his eyes. his teammates passed without looking at him. he leaned against a vending machine like the world bored him. and when she called his name, his head lifted slow, cautious, like he didn’t trust what he was hearing. their eyes met.

for a moment, everything stopped. the noise, the crowd, the city. she saw something flicker—wide and open and almost afraid.

then it was gone. like it had never been there. the light left his eyes. and ryusei turned away.

“wait—ryusei, please—”

her fingers caught his sleeve. he tore away from her like she’d stabbed him.

“you don’t get to say my name anymore,” he muttered, voice gravel and glass.

her throat tightened. “i had no choice.”

“you always had a choice. you just didn’t choose me.”

“that’s not fair—”

“you think i care about fair?” he stepped closer, eyes burning. “you got in that car and didn’t even look back. not once. i begged you with my fucking legs. chased you until i couldn’t breathe, and you kept going.”

she felt it. that old ache, crawling up her spine.

“i missed you,” she whispered. “i never stopped missing you.”

he shook his head.

“i needed you,” he said. quiet, almost shaking. “you were the only thing i gave a shit about. and you left me like i was nothing.”

“i was scared.”

“so was i.”

he swallowed hard, chest rising and falling with the kind of pain that had nowhere else to go.

“you think i didn’t cry for you?” he spat. “i would’ve set the world on fire for one fucking word. one goodbye. you didn’t even give me that.”

“i thought leaving would protect you,” she said.

“you broke me.”

he looked at her like she was the ghost of something he used to pray for.

then he stepped back.

“you’re too late.”

and when he walked away, this time she didn’t follow.

after that night, ryusei got worse. whatever restraint he had left burned out fast. he played like he wanted to hurt people—opponents, teammates, anyone who crossed his path. fines piled up. warnings blurred together. he stopped showing up to meetings. he stopped sleeping.

on the pitch, he was a wildfire. off it, he was wreckage no one could stop.

his name started flashing across the news for all the wrong reasons. leaked footage. street fights. blood. a busted lip in one clip, a shattered nose in another. he slammed someone against a wall after a foul in training and walked off grinning. he did not care if they suspended him. he did not care if the entire world labeled him a monster.

the only person he wanted to see him had already looked away.

eventually, they brought him in interrogation, sat with his hands cuffed, wrists scraped raw, eyes dulled by exhaustion.

the questions came fast, one after the other. about the charges. about the career he was setting on fire. he barely answered. gave nothing but silence and smirks. his eyes kept drifting, unfocused, locked on corners of the room where no one stood.

when one officer leaned forward and asked if he even wanted to save himself, ryusei looked up, slow and far away, like he was listening to someone else.

like the voice in his head was the only one that mattered.

“this is what you’ve become?”

he blinked hard. it was the officer. of course it was. but when he blinked again, it wasn’t. it was her.

“i did this for you,” he muttered, breath unsteady. “i fought so no one could hurt you. i—”

“you lost me anyway.”

his head snapped up. something cracked in his chest. “shut up. shut UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP—”

but she kept going.

“you didn’t protect me. you scared me. you broke everything you touched and called it love.”

he lurched forward, chains clanking against the metal table. eyes blown wide. breathing jagged.

“don’t say that,” he whispered, trembling. “please, don’t say that. i love you. i still do. just stop—stop looking at me like that—”

she tilted her head. “i don’t even know you anymore.”

he screamed.

not words. just noise. animalistic and raw, the kind of sound you make when your soul’s been dragged out of your throat and shattered on the floor.

he stood, dragging the chair with him, throwing his body toward the vision that wasn’t even there. the officers yelled, reaching for him. he didn’t hear them. he was clawing at his chest, his arms, the air—anything to tear her out of him.

“MAKE HER STOP!” he begged, collapsing to his knees.

his voice was wrecked. small now. childish.

“please… please just make her stop…”

shidou was walking back from the field. still in his cleats, hoodie pulled low, blood crusted on his sleeve from some fight he already forgot. the match was over. the streets were quiet. but something restless still gnawed at him from the inside.

then he heard it.

someone's crying. choked between hiccups.

he turned the corner and spotted her, little girl, alone on the curb, knees pulled to her chest, face hidden.

shidou slowed. something in him paused. something about her small shape, the trembling, the way she looked so alone...it reminded him.

of her.

so he crouched in front of the kid. cleats dug into the concrete.

“you good, short stuff?” he said, voice flat. “you look like the world ended.”

she didn’t answer, just sniffled louder.

he sighed and dug into his hoodie pocket, pulling out a crumpled strawberry gummy. it had been there a while. he wasn’t even sure why he still carried them.

“here,” he muttered. “don’t cry.”

she looked at him—wide eyes, watery—and slowly reached out.

but before her fingers could even touch the candy, a voice roared behind him.

“hey! get the hell away from her!”

shidou’s head snapped up just as a man came barreling over. the stranger shoved him back, nearly knocking the gummy from his hand.

shidou stumbled, more stunned than anything.

“what the fuck’s your problem?” he barked.

“my problem? you’re some grown asshole cornering a little girl!” the man snapped, shielding the child behind him. “she’s ten! what the hell are you doing?”

shidou’s face twisted.

“you think i’m trying to hurt her?” his voice was dark. low. “seriously?”

the man glared. “don’t play dumb. what were you giving her, huh? you some kind of freak?”

shidou’s grin fell.

he stood up slowly. too slowly.

“i gave her a candy, you moron. i had one. that’s it.”

“oh yeah? you think that makes it better? you're a monster!” the man snapped. “back off, or i’m calling the cops. y/n, come here—”

that was the mistake.

the second he heard it, that name, shidou froze.

“what… did you just call her?” he asked.

the man blinked, thrown off for a second—but then his face twisted with something meaner. louder.

“y/n,” he barked, tugging his daughter behind him. “my daughter. now back off, freak—”

that was it.

something inside shidou cracked.

he slammed the man against the wall, fingers twisted in his collar, hard enough to make the siding groan. the man gasped, eyes wide.

“you don’t get to say that name,” shidou snarled, spit flying from his teeth. “you don’t know what the FUCK it means.”

“GET OFF ME—!” the man choked, trying to shove him away. “you sick piece of SHIT! GET OFF—!”

his daughter sobbed behind him, too scared to move.

“you’re disgusting,” the man spat, voice sharp with panic. “you look like you belong in a cage. you are a monster—look at you! you're scaring a kid, you FREAK—MONSTER!”

shidou’s hands shook.

he’d heard those words before.

freak. monster.

over and over. in classrooms. on the field. from people who never looked past his fists. but it never stopped cutting.

he wasn’t even trying to hurt anyone. not this time. he just wanted to help.

just wanted to be something good for once.

but no matter what he did, the world still looked at him like this. like he was made of teeth and violence. like he was already beyond saving.

his chest heaved. his voice broke.

“she was the only one who didn’t look at me like that…” he said, voice cracking. “she was all i fucking had. and you think i’d hurt her?” his grip tightened. “you think i’d touch something i’d kill the whole GODDAMN world to protect?”

the man didn’t answer. he was too busy staring at the wild, broken thing in front of him: the fury, the heartbreak, the grief painted into every inch of shidou’s face.

and the little girl just cried louder.

he reeled his fist back.

and then—

someone screamed his name.

not the little girl. not the man.

her.

shidou’s whole body went still. his fist hovered in the air. his breathing stopped.

“y/n,” he breathed, like the name itself was keeping him alive. “oh my god. you’re—fuck—you’re really here.”

his voice cracked. his hands trembled.

“i thought i was losing it. i kept seeing you—kept hearing your voice—and i thought it was just my head fucking with me again but you’re—”

he laughed, breathless and broken. “you’re here. you’re here.”

he took a step closer, blinking through the tears already falling. “look at me. please. just look. you saw it wrong. it wasn’t—i wasn’t hurting her. i swear. i was just trying to help, that’s it. i heard her crying and—shit, y/n—i would never—”

his voice faltered. he rubbed at his eyes like it would somehow fix the wreck of himself.

“don’t look at me like that. don’t—don’t look scared. please.”

his hands reached forward, hesitant, like she might disappear if he touched her.

“you know me. you know me. this—this isn’t who i am. not to you. i never wanted to be—whatever the hell this is. i just—i just wanted to keep you safe.”

“i’ve missed you every single fucking day,” he whispered. “i didn’t forget anything. i couldn’t. you’re still the only thing that makes this life feel like it’s worth anything at all.”

his voice dropped, soft and begging.

“just say something. anything. tell me i’m not too late.”

and then—

her expression didn’t change. her voice was steady, but it sliced deeper than any punch he’d ever taken.

“you are.”

and she walked away.

but she came back.

not right away. not after the fight, not after the world turning its back on him. but eventually. y/n moved back during the winter, after everything. people even said she was crazy for it. she didn’t care.

she found him in a rehab facility near the coast—quiet, twitchy, eyes a little too empty. he looked like someone who'd been living with ghosts.

she became the reason he started healing.

at first, she just visited on sundays. sat with him in the courtyard while he stared at the sky like it might have answers. she brought snacks, old books, the onigiri he used to pretend he didn’t like. then one day, she didn’t leave. told the nurse she’d stay the night. told him she wasn’t going to keep loving him from a distance anymore.

he didn’t cry. he just looked at her like she’d handed him the whole damn sun.

eventually, they found a place together, nothing fancy. it was close to the train station and two blocks away from a bakery that always smelled like caramel.

he even started therapy. y/n always held his hand after every session, no matter how drained he looked walking out. and little by little, the walls started to come down.

and she—god, she lit up their life like it was her second chance too. danced around the kitchen barefoot. sat on the counter in his oversized shirts. called him “my husband” even before the wedding.

when he proposed, it was stupid. he blurted it out over burnt toast and toothpaste still on his mouth. she laughed until she cried. said yes anyway.

they got matching rings. she teased him for crying at the city hall. he denied it. later, she caught him staring at the silver band on her hand like it was the first sunrise he’d ever seen.

he also stopped playing pro. said he didn’t need the noise anymore. started coaching at a small local school instead. the kids loved him. she swore it was because they didn’t know how violent he used to be. he said it was because he was the coolest bastard on earth. she told him he was lucky she loved him.

a few months after that, she told him they were expecting.

he didn’t sleep that night. just kept his head on her stomach, whispering things like, "you’re gonna be so loved, little punk,” and “i swear to god, i’ll get it right this time.”

they painted the nursery yellow. she taught him how to fold baby clothes. he read parenting books even though he hated reading. started keeping strawberry gummies in his pocket again—for her.

at night, he’d fall asleep with one hand resting on her bump, the other tangled in hers. the fan spun overhead. her breath warmed his collarbone. he hadn’t had a nightmare in weeks.

he felt safe. he felt whole.

some nights, they’d lie on the floor, shoulder to shoulder, lights off, dreaming out loud.

“i’m scared,” she whispered once, palms on her stomach.

“i’m not,” he answered. “not with you.”

and then—

"who the hell are you talking to, freak?" his cellmate muttered, half-asleep.

જ⁀➴ © sevarchive ✦ masterlist ; like/reblogs are appreciated ꣑ৎ

[bewitched-hours]

Okay...could i request a 007n7..x reader....

So basically like reader was married to seven but then he got forsakened...so when the specter puts us in we see 007n7 who is sitting down watching the others play go fish or something we like run in his arms crying...i really like fluff guys..

YES I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A REQUEST LIKE THIS YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW- Ahem- Yes-

Reader gets She/Her~

Life went downhill ever since they disappeared...

First c00lkidd... Then 007n7...

You were sure this was some sort of curse put on you. Having your only family disappear couldn't be just a coincidence.

Your biological family weren't nice people and made it clear they weren't interested in changing. They treated any misfortune as a joke and didn't care who got hurt as long as they got their laughs.

It was cruel and made you file a restraining order when they refused to let you be after you tried going no-contact.

You still remembered sitting on a park bench the day you filed that order and felt utterly exhausted.

It wasn't easy to just let go of family like that, even if they were cruel...

But that day you noticed a little red child coming up to you and stringing you into a conversation. It was simply adorable and a perfect distraction for the pit that had formed in your stomach from the anxiety earlier.

His father joined soon after and you two got along better than you thought, even exchanging numbers as you offered to help with babysitting.

But who were you kidding? You simply wanted to see c00lkidd again because he seemed like such a sweetheart.

It was a matter of months before you and 007 started dating and moved in together, becoming a dual income household and finally living a normal life of sorts... You even got married after just a year or two!

No more cruelty, no mean jokes, your mistakes were treated with love... You felt your heart melt whenever 7n7 helped you fix it.

But now..? Now you were lying in your shared bed, staring at the empty space besides you and listening to silence...

The only actual sound was your sniffling as you cried into the pillow. It was like your perfect family had been ripped away in an instance and you had no one to turn to.

You knew your husband's past. You were well aware he wasn't someone with many people on his side to speak of and you didn't have anyone either so you were basically alone in your grief.

The world felt dull and grey without them. No more laughter and drawings, no one to share the morning bacon with...

It was almost more like mercy that you suddenly ended up in this realm.

When you woke up, you saw the night sky above and heard the faint sounds of chatter and fire crackling. It was almost comforting if you weren't still confused on how you got here.

Sitting up, you noticed immediately you seemed to be on some kinda camping grounds and looked around.

A large cabin with smaller ones at the side, a group of strangers huddled around a fire, your husband leaning against a-

wait... WAIT A MINUTE-

You couldn't believe your eyes when you saw that familiar burger hat and blue shirt. Tears forced their way into your eyes as you got up and shakily made your way over to him and collapsed against his back, hugging him tightly.

Before he could even question the sudden motion, your voice brought the realization to him immediately. "I missed you..."

Your sniffling soon exploded into quiet sobbing as 007 turned around to hug you back, tears escaping his eyes now too as he couldn't believe his luck.

Within seconds you were both cuddled up and telling each other how much you've missed the other. With you talking about the countless nights where you'd hug his pillow for comfort and him talking about the countless times he got anxious thinking about if you were still safe.

But you were here now... That was what mattered to you both.

You eventually introduced yourself to the other survivors, making sure they knew of your past after hearing 007 wasn't so liked among them... They were shocked to say the least.

Hell, you even showed them your ring that 7 and you got custom-made for the both of you. It had a message engraved on the inside that was meant to remind you both of the other.

The other survivors were conflicted with you, knowing you hadn't done anything to warrant caution besides being married to the ex-hacker and protecting him so fiercely.

But you didn't care. You were happy sticking with your husband and discovering more about this realm and your new abilities.

And at least you'd be able to see c00lkidd during rounds... Even if just for a short time...

Anything you'd like to request/ask? Check out my pinned post first and I'll be happy to write up whatever you want!

[leighsartworks216]

Neighbor Sylus is now making me think of college dorm roommate Zayne lol

The first meeting is a bit awkward, but that's not unexpected. He's already got his stuff in order, chosen a side of the room and made his bed and is already situated at his tiny desk on his laptop. You make a lighthearted joke about it, and he looks away as he offers to change sides if you'd prefer. You quickly reassure him it's alright and get yourself settled in

For the first couple weeks, you both just try to stay out of each other's way. He's out usually, at his overwhelming schedule of classes or the library; sometimes he doesn't get back until the middle of the night. You wonder how he does it. You're not friends, but you are friendly, chatting sometimes about how classes are going or campus events

Everything changes once you begin using the dorm kitchen. In your free time, once you've finished your work (or even if you're procrastinating it), you head down to the kitchen and get to baking. It's a great stress reliever, and an amazing conversation starter when other people come down to cook their dinner. You start simple with a batch of cookies. You chat with some other students as they bake, and offer them a couple once you've pulled them out of the oven. You transfer them to a plate, cover them in aluminum foil, and head back up to your room to watch a movie on your laptop while you enjoy your treat

Zayne comes in a bit later, just done with his classes, and he pauses in the doorway. You smile at him and tell him that you made cookies and that he's welcome to have some. He thanks you and carefully takes a couple... and then asks if he can have a couple more... and perhaps split the last cookie with you. You tease him a little about how much he must like them, and he tells you they're excellent, much better than he can get on campus or at any of the surrounding cafes and bakeries. You can't believe they're actually *that* good, but if he likes them, you'll definitely make them again sometime for him

It turns into a weekly hobby. One day a week, you pick a recipe and go down to the kitchen to do some baking. They're not all winners, but Zayne seems to enjoy them anyway. He always looks forward to what you make, staying out late less and less on the days you bake, just to get a taste while everything is still warm and fresh. Plus, he talks to you more now, opening up little by little as you two hang out in your dorm and work together with a shared treat

Midterms are approaching, and you're worried you won't have enough time to do any baking with all the studying and work you have to do. Zayne notices, too. Usually you'd have told him what you're thinking about making next, browsing recipes and getting his thoughts on them. But when he sees you on your laptop now, it's always in a distressed hunch, tugging at your hair as you scribble down notes and anxiously scroll through poorly scanned in pdfs of documents

He asks if you're planning on baking again. You sigh and say you want to, but it just doesn't seem like you'll be able to with everything you have to do. He asks what you have to do, and you're nearly in tears as you list out everything your teachers are asking of you. It's a lot... but it's not impossible. He asks if you'd like some help, and at first you want to refuse, but he helps you organize everything in terms of urgency and how long it will take to complete the task. And honestly you get more work done with him working beside you, answering questions you have and acting as a second pair of eyes when you need them

By the time Baking Day rolls around, your schedule is free and you feel a lot better about the tests and projects you have to do next week. You ask Zayne if he'd like to help this time, and he's as enthusiastic as he can seem as he closes his laptop and hops up to join you

This time you want to bake a pie, but a lot goes into it. So he helps you prep the dough while you handmake the filling. He does lots of taste testing, which means you have to keep knocking his fingers away as they try to dip into the filling. Laughter fills the kitchen, hips bumping against each other as you work with the limited counter space, talking about more than you've ever had before. You work as a team to lay the dough in the pan and spoon in the filling, and crisscross the strips along the top. He sets it into the oven, and now all you have to do is wait

While you wait, you play games at the table. He's mostly quiet when other people you know come in and start up conversations, but you make sure he never feels left out. It means a lot to him, more than you'll ever know

Your timer goes off. Zayne is the first to jump up and grab the oven mitts. He pulls the pie out and sets it carefully on the stove... He looks like he's in heaven as he looks at the golden brown crust. Eyes mellowed out, lips slightly lifted in a smile as he breaths in the delightful smell. You nudge him with your hip playfully out of the way. He seems to be snapped out of his daze. You take pictures of it, capturing the memory, and hand him the knife to cut into it. He smiles and takes your hand, both of you holding the knife as you cut it into pieces

The way you look at each other as you take your first bites, something warm and fuzzy settles in your stomach - and that same feeling settles in his, too

[writerjayne]

Wymack owns apartments au

This was inspired by my friend and their wacky ass neighbors in their Apartment complex (including one who is apparently wanted by the police??) We were talking about said neighbors and I went: what if the Foxes lived in the same apartment? But Exy wasn't a thing because being a team gives them a common interest (using that word very loosely), and just being neighbors would not. So without further ado, have this AU that I'll probably never write a full fic of:

So, keeping Wymack in character: he owns an apartment complex focused on renting to people who would be rejected/denied housing by other companies. He inherited it from his parents who were awful to thier tennatns and borderline slumlords. Wymack poured everything he had into the apartments, renovating and modernizing them, determined to make something better than his parents could ever dream of. Wymack lives on the premises and every opportunity he has to do the opposite of what his parents would do, he does. 

Dan's a stripper and can only pay cash? She has an awful credit score, but hey, rent's getting paid, why would Wymack care? (Eventually, he rents some units to her stage sisters too) Matt eventually moves in with Dan, and Wymack doesn't bat an eye. 

Nicky showed up as a 19 year old with two 15 year olds who he has custody of? Wymack knocked a wall down between two units so they had 3 rooms (even if they stayed in each other's rooms half the time Wymack understood the twins may need space and privacy as they get older), and he gave them a discounted rate until Nicky got a solid job.

Kevin escapes his abusive adoptive family and runs to the only other person he knows outside of that circle. If he has no money/prospects? Wymack knew Kevin's mother, of course, he'll take the kid in, set him up with an assistant manager job, and get him enrolled in classes so he can get a certification while also helping Kevin with the legal side of things. Kevin sleeps on Wymack's couch for a month before he's comfortable having his own apartment.

Renee, needing to start over far away from her old gang? Her mother called Wymack and he had a unit free. She quickly befriends other tenants and suggests a community garden to Wymack who is happy to oblige. (Andrew often gardens with her and everyone thinks the friendship is weird) She and Andrew bond per canon and Renee becomes the heart of the complex and as much of a unifying force as she can be given the circumstances.

Allison, disowned and cut off from family money, with no job? Wymack sets her up with a unit and helps her apply for jobs, telling her she won't pay rent until she has a job, as long as she keeps applying. She finds a job within the month and Wymack holds off on charging her rent anyway.

Seth can't hold a job and has multiple evictions on his record? Wymack still gives him a chance. Second and third ones too when rent's not paid. Or when cops show up looking for him. Or when he starts fights with his neighbors. Wymack can see the scared kid who just needs someone to believe in him. 

So when Neil shows up, clearly trouble and too young to be on his own, desperately trying to come across as normal, Neil, who flinches when Wymack moves too fast, but offers enough cash to cover first and last months' rent plus double Wymack's normal deposit request? Wymack asks no questions and simply sets him up in the unit across from Nicky and the twins. 

It would be easy for them to be the kind of neighbors who never interact, but enough of our Foxes are friendly/nosey that I think they would all eventually become friends. So here's how I think some of that would happen:

Allison and Seth do date but it would be a lot more volatile than cannon (though never abusive) with lots of fighting that everyone else in the building just get used to. (Dan and Renee always check on Allison and Matt eventually becomes friends with and starts checking in with Seth too) 

Renee is everyone's friend and often bakes (just seems like her vibe) she unintentionally scares the crap out of Neil his first night by dropping off some chocolate chip cookies to welcome him to the building. (Much later, she's very apologetic about it, and Neil is able to acknowledge that it wasn't anyone's fault. Besides, he had never been upset with her over it, just cautious)

Nicky is the nosiest neighbor but not to the point of invading people's privacy. Anytime there's movement outside, he's peeking out the windows and has been known to crack the window open to listen to loud conversations/arguments outside. He does know everything about everyone even though he hasn't been here the longest.

Aaron is still going to med school, Andrew and Nicky are supporting him.

Andrew often goes up to the roof to smoke (boy likes to be tall) and this is how he and Neil actually meet face to face. (Andrew was aware that there was a new tenant but hadn't seen him) Neil sits up there to burn cigarettes and stargaze, kinda. Andrew immediately is like 'this kid is weird, let's figure out all his secrets,' and Neil is basically along for the ride.

Neil would still be on the run but maybe from just his dad, Mary did still die so Neil was desperate for a slice of normal and took a chance with Wymacks apartments. I haven't expanded this to much further than what I've shared here so I don't have all the answers or even a plot really but I think Neil would pull everyone together like canon.

Layout-wise (if you're curious), I'm picturing we have Building 1:

First floor- Dan and Matt in A1, Allison in A2, Renee in A3 and Seth in A4

Second floor- Nicky and the twins in unit A5 and A6. Across from them is Neil in A7 and Kevin in A8 

Basement has washers and dryers as well as storage units for each apartment. 

Building 2 has Wymack's double unit (B1 and B2), Kevin still crashes here sometimes but Wymacks door is always open to anyone who needs to talk. Abby also has a unit in building 2, B5, and she also helps out where she can. 

Building 3 has an assortment of different tenants, some of Dan's stage sisters, a couple small families and a couple single person units. 

[drabbles-mc]

It'll Get Done (Pt. 4)

Richie Jerimovich & F!Reader

Chapter Index

Warnings: 18+, language, smoking, bickering/arguing

Word Count: 2.3k

A/N: while i'm still conjuring up ideas for s4 fics, here's another chapter of this bad boy! spoiler-free since it's set in s1 lmao

He was outside on the sidewalk in front of The Beef first thing in the morning. He hadn’t even made it inside yet, deciding to smoke a cigarette to settle his nerves before heading in. He assumed that you were already inside and he wasn’t sure what it was going to look like when he faced you again. The two of you had gone after each other countless times over the years, and usually there was a mutual agreement to brush it off, leave it behind, and carry on. It was an understanding that worked for you both.

This was the first time that he’d ever dragged your boyfriend into it, though. Sure, you two talked shit and you would argue with him about whether or not the problems you had with Trent, or the other people who came before him, were the types of problems that you stuck it out to solve, or the types of problems that made you cut your fucking losses while you still could. But those conversations happened far away from the people in question. The closest Richie had ever gotten to confronting a pnartner of yours, prior to last night, was the occasional slick joke or veiled remark in front of them. It was never something so stark, so undeniable. Which was a bit shocking in and of itself, considering who Richie was and how he operated.

There was no taking any of it back now, but he wondered what moving forward was going to look like. It would have to end up being okay eventually. As far as Richie was concerned, there was no other option. Besides, after everything that the two of you had gone through together, he wasn’t going to let something as trivial as some dude that you met on a dating app six months ago get the better of you. He had to assume that you felt the same way, even if you wouldn’t say it quite like that.

His gaze was glued to the cracks in the sidewalk as he pondered over all of it. One hand shoved in his pocket, the other holding his cigarette as he took another drag. The squeaking of someone’s brakes got him to look up, and he couldn’t stop the short laugh that he let out when he saw who was sitting in the driver’s seat. He wasn’t used to beating you to the restaurant, but sure enough you were hopping out from the passenger side of Trent’s car.

You did a quick look in both directions so that you wouldn’t get flattened by an oncoming eighteen-wheeler, but you almost wished that you would when you saw the way that Richie flicked the butt of his cigarette away and proceeded to give your boyfriend the finger before he pulled away from the curb. Richie was smiling as he did it, but even as you hustled across the street you could see that the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

There was no point in looking over your shoulder to see what Trent did in response to that. So you didn’t. You had a hard enough time making eye contact with Richie, even though you still rolled your eyes at him. The only thing that softened the blow of that were the sunglasses you had on. Putting them on had been a protective move because of the hangover that Richie had predicted, but now they served the extra purpose of somewhat hiding how hard it was to make yourself meet his gaze.

Trent’s car had already headed for the end of the block by the time you landed in front of Richie. Even though you were staring at the small gap between the toes of your sneakers and his, you couldn’t make yourself walk away from him. You hadn’t really planned out what you wanted to say to him when you saw him again, your mind not clear enough last night or even this morning for that kind of forward thinking. Part of you was waiting for Richie to turn and leave you hanging. You wouldn’t have blamed him, at least not for long, but he stayed.

After another couple seconds passed, Richie decided to be the brave one to break the silence. Pulling his pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket, he tilted it towards you and asked, “Want one?”

You knew you shouldn’t. But with the way the last twenty-four hours had gone, you figured you might as well just add it to the running tally of regrettable decisions. You plucked one out, even let Richie light it for you, all without saying a word. It wasn’t until the first plume of smoke slipped past your lips that you were able to make yourself say anything.

“Can we talk about last night without yelling?” you asked, still not able to look at him even though he couldn’t see the exhaustion and hurt lingering in your eyes.

He shrugged, the frown on his face making it seem like it was a ridiculous thing to ask. “I’m quiet as a fuckin’ mouse.”

What was supposed to be a laugh came out more like a huff, but the weary smile on your face made up for it. “Alright. Don’t lie.” You took another drag, savoring it in a way you never really did before you started kicking the habit. “I’m sorry about Trent.”

Richie shook his head, both hands shoved into his pockets now. “What the fuck are you apologizing for? You didn’t do anything.”

Letting your head drop back, you fought the urge to sigh. You knew where this was going but you just had to let it play out. “I’m just saying—”

“If your,” he pointed in the direction that Trent had driven off, “petty little fuckin’ boyfriend wants to apologize to me for acting like a jagoff, he’s more than fuckin’ wel—”

“You know he’s not gonna do that.”

“So don’t do it for him!” He saw how you flinched at his uptick in volume, the sound rattling around your skull like a pinball. He didn’t say sorry, but the brief surrendering motion of his hands said it for him. When he spoke up again, his volume was tolerable for you. “Why the fuck are you apologizing for him?”

“Because I want this to be over.”

Richie knew it wasn’t over, even with your band-aid apology. He knew that you knew that too. “It’ll be over if you fuckin’ dump his ass.”

The sharpness of the look you gave him didn’t hit the same because of your shades. You tapped the ash off the end of your cigarette. “Richie.”

He wished that he hadn’t smoked his cigarette before you showed up. “I don’t need a goddamn apology. I don’t even want one. Not like it’s gonna make me like the dude.”

Your final drag off the cigarette was done more aggressively than necessary. You wished that it made you feel better than it did, but that was a lot to ask of one cigarette. Dropping the last of it to the ground, you all but stomped it with the ball of your sneaker. “Yeah, I’m fuckin’ aware.”

Richie watched you as you pressed your sunglasses upwards. You only lifted them enough to be able to rub the inner corners of your eyes before letting them drop back down onto your nose again. He saw you wipe your hands on your jacket and he had a sinking feeling that you were wiping away the start of tears. You’d always hated that you were an angry crier—Richie figured it was one of those things that probably kept you from exploding. Even if he pretended to accept the apology that you were giving him on your boyfriend’s behalf, you’d know it was bullshit. And even if it wasn’t all built on the back of an elaborate façade, it wasn’t what was actually going to make you feel any better. The frustration would still linger, even if you buried it underneath a couple layers of denial.

He reached out, cupping the back of your arm with his hand to test the waters. He wouldn’t blame you for pulling away, for still being that upset. But you didn’t. You didn’t lean into him, didn’t go for a hug. That was enough to let him know how to gauge your level of frustration with him. Not enough to pull away, but too much to pull him in. That was fair, he supposed.

He traced his thumb along the sleeve of your jacket out of habit even though you couldn’t really feel it. “Gonna keep your sunglasses on inside too?”

You smiled weakly. “Might. Those lights are brutal.”

Richie chuckled. “Fuckin fluorescents.”

You paused, letting out a deep sigh. There was more to say, probably, but you were already later than you liked to be and this mess wasn’t one that was going to be cleaned up within the next few minutes. The two of you would just have to let it lie for now.

“You been inside yet?”

He shook his head. “Nope. Was out here havin’ a smoke trying to gear up for heading in and seeing you.” He chuckled before making a big show of checking the time on the watch that he wasn’t wearing. “Someone was runnin’ late this morning.”

“Late for being early,” you tried, half-heartedly, to joke.

“Boy Wonder sleep through his alarm?”

“He’s just not the same brand of early bird that I am.”

“I would’a come through and—”

“No fucking way,” you cut him off with a laugh.

“Yeah,” you scoffed. “That’s part of the problem.” You maneuvered your arm out of his hold as you went to put your hand on his back. Giving him a light shove, you forced him to stumble a few steps closer to the front door of the restaurant. “C’mon. I’m late, and I’m assuming there’s some kind of shit you need to be taking care of.”

He pulled the door open, holding it and gesturing for you to walk inside first. “Just another day of babysitting.”

You laughed as the door clattered shut behind you both. “Carmy probably says the same thing about you.”

As if on cue, Carmy emerged from the kitchen into the space behind the counter. The day had barely started and he already looked like he’d worked up a sweat—you wondered if the kid even went home at all. He was carrying a tote full of napkins and silverware, but he still stopped and looked at you both.

“What do I say about Richie?” he asked, sounding a little out of breath. The simple question prompted you two to answer in unison.

“Nothing.”

“That you have to babysit him.”

The disparity in your replies got a quick smile out of him. “Right.” He looked at you. “Prep, chef?”

You nodded. “Yup. On it.”

He nodded in return. “Good. Thank you.”

Carmy continued on into the dining area. Once he was out from behind the counter, you and Richie slipped on back into the kitchen. You were heading for your locker, and were expecting Richie to veer off and head towards the office. However as you were pulling the locker door open, Richie materialized on the other side and leaned against the locker right next to yours. For a moment you had flashbacks to high school and then swiftly repressed them.

Your bag got tossed in first, followed by your jacket. Your sunglasses were the last thing to come off because you knew that was going to hurt the most. The aspirin you’d taken as soon as you woke up were only going to offer a limited defense against the harsh lighting in the kitchen. You squinted your eyes in preparation, but an annoyed groan still slipped out of you when you finally removed your shades.

Richie couldn’t help but to laugh at your sound of exasperation. He didn’t say anything until you turned to face him while you were tying your apron into place. His eyes spoke volumes before he even opened his mouth, though, bugging out of his head for a moment. “Jesus.”

You laughed, shutting your locker with extra force to show your annoyance and then immediately regretting it as the clanging echoed the small pocket of the restaurant that you were in. “Thanks.”

“Sorry, sorry,” he apologized as he laughed. His hand was on your shoulder and neither of you even realized it. “I will go and get you a coffee.”

“Richie, don’t—”

“Not a peace offering. I’m still fully committed to the war I’m waging on Thumbelina, alright?”

“Ri—”

“It’s a life-saving measure for you at this point.”

It wasn’t a peace offering. And even if it was, it wouldn’t have been an effective one. When you felt less hungover, you’d be able to commit more fully to your frustration. As it stood right now, though, coffee didn’t sound too bad. You hadn’t had time to stop and get some on the way in the way you usually did. Plus, Richie always got coffee from the really good spot a few blocks over. You might as well take the small win given how everything had gone.

Letting out a sigh, you gave in with a nod. There was no other outcome, really. “Thank you.”

“Welcome.” He was already backpedaling towards the door. “Don’t, you know, don’t die while I’m gone.”

“I’ll do my best.”

The kitchen door swung open from the other side, Carmy coming back into the kitchen. He looked as confused as ever as Richie skipped almost backwards right by him. “Rich—hey—yo, cousin!”

“Can’t!” Richie yelled back, voice getting farther and farther away. “Gotta take care of somethin’!”

Carmy started to call after him, “I—” and immediately stopped himself. Letting out a deep sigh, he looked over to you. “You know what the fuck that was about?”

You shrugged as you crossed your arms over your chest. “You really wanna know?”

That small, quick smile flew across his face again, leaving as soon as it arrived. “No, I don’t.”

The Bear Taglist (please let me know if you'd like to be added!): @withmyteeth @garbinge @darqchilddaydreamz @narcolini @hausofmamadas

@ashlingiswriting @justreblogginfics @fromirkwood @ago0112 @navs-bhat

@muhgie @strychninebowie @mayemperess @neska223

[thirstkanaphan]

Hi hi hello random question! Which solo song are you most curious/excited about? For me i think it’s probably Legacy

Hi Friend!

I have an answer to your question, but I am going to use this ask to speculate about what we may expect from each solo, fueled primarily by my own desires + what we've heard from the members already.

First, I want to share a quote from Hongjoong's recent ELLE Korea interview:

"I really want to say this: our members are really good singers! People know how great Jongho is, but the other members also have amazing voices, colors, and tones. It might be greedy to ask fans to pay attention to both our performances and vocals, but we work hard to show all sides of ourselves, so it would make us happy if people did."

I hope this means we're getting a vocal-heavy tracklist that emphasizes the different colors and tones of the members!

NO1 - Hongjoong

This actually be the one I'm most curious/excited about because we've already seen SUCH a range from Hongjoong in the past couple of years, from his By.Hongjoong covers to SMB.

However, I was recently listening to some of his songs from Moving Voices, including his cover of Harry Styles' Falling.

It would be such a swerve if we got a lyrical song from Hongjoong instead of a rap!

Skin - Seonghwa

Skin could either be a freaky dance track or a gut-wrenching anthem about self-acceptance (por que no los dos?). Given Seonghwa's love of DPR Ian, I could absolutely see Seonghwa tapping into that dark, emotional energy for a truly staggering performance.

I also wanted to share his cover of Odoriko, because this is also a sound and vibe I'd love to see more of from him:

Slide To Me - Yunho

In his recent Marie Claire Korea interview, Yunho said about his voice: "While not powerful or range bound it has diverse colors...I have a water-like voice that seeps into any space."

We have Yunho's song Be Alright from the Ateez Present series as an example of how his lovely soft voice can reach emotional heights.

But I wonder for this song if he'll offer something a bit more upbeat. I looked to the Spotify playlist he made us for Lemon Drop, which includes Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon and Amnesia by 5 Seconds of Summer. Yunho often uses 5SoS songs in his IG stories, so I am inclined to think his song will be similarly inspired by pop songs of the 2010s!

Legacy - Yeosang

Your most anticipated! This may actually be my second-most anticipated after Hongjoong's because Yeosang's vocals are criminally underrated and underutilized. Now This House Ain't a Home is carried by Yeosang's voice and we have heard his beautiful solo work before. So what could this song sound like?

I also looked at Yeosang's Spotify playlist, which includes IU's Square's Dream, MAKTUB' Starting With You, DAY6's Happy, and G-Dragon's TOO BAD.

I could definitely see a sweet, pop ballad in the style of IU or Maktub OR more heavy, rock-inspired music like DAY6; both would provide a good showcase for his voice.

Creep - San

What a title! I'm honestly at a loss for this one. I love angry, growly Bouncy San and I love soft, delicate Snowflake San. The title makes me wonder if we're getting a something unexpected this time...

Roar- Mingi

Written and composed by Mingi with his own team! How exciting! We have a lot of solo work from Mingi to consider, including Tunnel and Autobahn, which highlighted his passion for emo-rock music. Could this follow in the same footsteps? We also have a song like Royal, which Mingi produced for ATEEZ/Be:First and Youth, which have totally different styles.

@janerains pointed out that Mingi's Single CD remix for In Your Fantasy is "Yaeji Ver." which reminded her of Yaeji, a Korean American DJ who has a really cool, mellow style infused into house + hip hop tracks. This is a total reach, but Mingi is always talking about wanting to experiment with different genres, so what if he tries something like this?

Sagittarius - Wooyoung

EVERY NIGHT I'LL BE YOUR SIGN!!! I can't believe we're getting this as an official track! I know that some fans were disappointed not to get a new song from Wooyoung, but honestly Sagittarius deserves the spotlight on this album. It's an incredible song and we know Wooyoung has been wanting to perform it for us. I'm so excited!!

To Be Your Light - Jongho

The composer/producer for this track is Seo Donghwan, repsonible for IU's Love Wins All, Doyoung's Beginning, D.O.'s Snowfall At Night.

We're obviously getting another ballad, and a tear-jerker that that. However, I'd love for this song to utilize Jongho's warm and rich lower range. I constantly listen to his performance of Edelweiss. LISTEN!!!

So those are the solo tracks!

You didn't ask this, but as for the title track....the snippet at the end of Lemon Drop mv and Bridge of Reality are probably two layers of the same song (see below).

If this is what In Your Fantasy sounds like, SIGN ME UP!!!

What do you all think? Any predictions?

I will be revisiting this post on June 11....

[nthspecialll]

What makes me sad is the fact that misinformation still holds such a huge weight in every fandom specifically the red dead redemption two fandom. Like people talk about their“2nd love interest“ being Charles, but that rockstar scrapped the idea. I believe that it takes the responsibility away from rockstar as a company, not wanting to risk losing money on having a gay character and instead placing the blame onto the developers or fandom while it was proven to be false, and that the “claim“ from rockstar was either a troll or someone who just got their misinformation while I’m not sure now which was true the whole charthur was literally proven to be false and that it was never in the works. No hate to Charles or charthur of course but I cannot stand miss information.there’s one thing to have normal discourse, but to see people get mad at people talking about the actual second love interest, and still believing something that was proven to be false to be true true kinda makes me sad. I truly hope that the person who claimed to be a rockstar affiliate or whatever it was was coming from a good place and not a homophobic troll but sadly, I don’t believe that. It was literally proven that the second love interest was supposed to be Eliza, the mother of Arthur’s child. While that idea was also scrapped pretty early on, it was proven to be confirmed, and we do have voice lines in the game files as to even prove it as well as comment commentary, telling the story of how Arthur was supposed to lose his child early on as to have a different storyline in the game. It also annoys me whenever people get mad when someone says very kindly that hey Eliza wasn’t our first wife it was his baby mom while we don’t know a lot. It doesn’t seem like they necessarily loved each other, but it seemed more like a one time thing, and obviously that they seem to be somewhat able to go on, but that was Mary that Arthur loved more or less. I truly love this fandom. I’ve been a part of it for a long time, and I met my partner through it and it’s sad me whenever people claim false things either us to troll and to please the homophobic alpha guy side of the fandom or to take away accountability for rockstar not daring to go too far (aka having a gay charctger who’s sexuality or implied sexuality not being fully straight not played for jokes only) and risk loosing a sliver of money. 

firstly, congrats on the partner, how does it feel to live my dream /HJ

But yeah I do agree, it was proven to be false, but with Eliza I will say something, I watched an interview with Roger a long ass time ago where he was asked who it was meant to be, and Roger said he didn't know, it never got far enough along to become a more solid idea. So I don't think they meant Eliza, or maybe Roger just got confused by the question. I mean they have been though like 6 years of planning, there gotta have been a lot of ideas throwing in and around throughout the time.

I also like the fact you point out Rockstar not wanting to make a gay character too open, which is true. Bill is gay, but it is like implied and at the same time he isn't the most likable character and you can if you want also argue against it. And the only two characters where you can like not at all argue against it, are two you gotta search for it.

Also yes, there was little evidence of Arthur really... loving Eliza, in the demo at least he seemed to not have a too smooth realtionship with her.

[frostbitemutt]

if no one else is gonna write it I will idgaf

Note after writing: I'm sorry the ending is lowkey ass I rushed bc I was too excited for DS2💔

Bargain

Yandere! Higgs Monaghan Fic (DS1)

Warnings: Yandere trope, DS1 spoilers, Male/masc darling, kidnapping, blackmail, coercion, threats, non-consensual kissing, non-consensual touching, non-consensual licking, groping, inappropriate comments, higgs

Your body shook as the adrenaline wore off. Ran out. Not for lack of panic. But for lack of energy. You'd woken with a pounding headache, burning scrapes from when you tripped and ate shit during your abduction, on the floor of a dirty warehouse somewhere. Just great. Wouldn't get too much better.

You had ran and ran for as long as you could, stayed in the cities as long as you could, took the shortest porting routes, trying to get your way to a much more experienced porter. Sam. Yet you have been ambushed not even halfway through.

In an instant time fall had stormed down, bts emerging around, all while you were grabbed and manhandled by the familiar minions of a bastard. Decorated in their eye bleeding military gear, gross greens, animal hide stuck bizzarly on the side of their helmets, layered in black and gold in a sad attempt of mimicking their leader. Last ugly sight you saw before you were unceremoniously knocked upside the head with the butt of a rifle. What could you have done? Nothing.

You could do nothing now. Forced on your knees. Guns pointed at you. Ones you know would never fire. Hands on each shoulder holding you down. Staring down at the grey floor, dark grey splotches were your tears fell staining it. Your staring soon turns into a glare as a obnoxious voice hits your ears.

"Would you look at that..!"

Higgs himself stands there, taunting, a small chuckle leaving him as he holds your cargo. Examining it. A small innocuous package. Some couple of old books or something. You can't quite remember. You only knew it's destination..

"South Knot City?" He questions. Another series of small chuckles leaving him.

"Well good thing you won't be needing to make that delivery anymore huh handsome?"

He reaches out, giving a small nudge to your shoulder, a tap with the back of his hand. Your nose wrinkles. What the hell was he talking about. You still very much needed to make that fucking delivery. On a time limit too. Along with getting away from him.

"The fuck are you on about?" You croak out. Narrowing your eyes as you look up at him begrudgingly.

Higgs tosses the package in his hands. Tilting his head playfully as he widely outstretches one of his arms to gesture around him. Turning ever so slightly.

"Ya know.. in a couple hours South Knot City won't exist anymore. Reduced to nothing but a big ol crater in the earth."

Your stomach sinks. No. He had to be bullshitting, but he'd already taken out other cities hadn't he? Still, he had more than one person to stop him and his little goons.

He continues ranting "I mean unless you really wanna deliver the package to a crater..."

You spit out. Voice cracking "Bullshit!.. How are you gonna possibly drop a necro body in there ?"

Higgs mouth twitches back into a smile "Oh.. I'm not using a void out sweet heart." He tosses your package roughly to the ground. An audible crash as it collides into the concrete.

"I'm using a little thermonuclear bomb that your little porter friend has so..generously agreed to deliver for me." He clasps his hand together. Grin now have practically spread ear to ear.

Sam. He'd sent Sam with a nuke. To the middle of the middle fucking city. He'd pulled this trick before as you've been told. You didn't think he'd do it again. A whole city, people living about their lives, children just trying to grow up. Going to be obliterated. In a flash. Not given a chance. Only Sam would remain in that rubble.

He was lying through his teeth. He had to be. He couldn't be fucking serious. "No- no.. he wouldn't."

You're cut off short by Higgs, his voice starting to seethe. "That dumbass didn't even bother to read the label on the fucking package."

He waves his hand sarcastically, spitting out "Your knight in shining armour is about to become the face of a terrorist attack. Right alongside the damaged bitch."

An envious man child on full display. Jealous that you'd easily give Fragile and Sam your attention. While you left him gnawing for scraps of it like a starving dog. Wiling to bite to get what he wanted.

Your tears had started to flood out before you'd knew it, steadily paced drips onto the floor. With a verbal bark you protest

"He'll figure it out. Your plans gonna fail one way or another."

He rolls his eyes, bending down slightly, just so he can be slightly closer to your eye level. "Really? What? You gonna go tell him? Hm?" The joke was obvious.

You had a bunch of bark but not enough strength to wind up for a bite. He was being backed by thee world of the dead. What chance did you realistically stand. Now you'd become a quiet sobbing mess. That surely didn't go unnoticed.

A few moments of silent pass before he drones on with yapping, "You know what... if you really care about that little city so much.. I'll make you a deal."

You didn't like how chipper he sounded. It couldn't mean anything good with him.

"I- I don't want your deal whatever it is-" You're silenced quickly by him cutting you off. Waving his finger in front of your face.

"Ah, ah, ah. Don't interrupt me." He lightly scolds.

All you could do was angrily huff. He didn't deserve an ounce of respect, yet he'd brute force his way into making you listen. God you wish you weren't able to hear the words that came next. The ultimatum.

"I'll put the destruction of South Knot City on hold till the big finale.. all you have to do is let me kiss you."

The smug shit eating grin. Bastard. Bastard. He knew what he was doing. Never in a million years would you even shake his hand. Let alone put your mouth on his. Now he was waging the lives of thousands of people for it. A sick power trip.

"A small little kiss to save a whole lot of the city."

He holds his hands out, making a gesture mimicking weighing scales. Weighing the two options.

"Sounds like fair deal to me." Of course it sounded like a 'good deal' to him. Only to him.

Well damn. You felt trapped. Probably what he wanted isn't it? It was either kiss the vile creature in front of you or let thousands of people die. Could you live with it if you said no? Wiping out a whole city of people? The thoughts rattle in your mind. Back and forth. Back and forth.

You had been silent enough to prompt Higgs to start yapping again. "Well, what's it gonna be sweetheart?"

You grit your teeth. You'd have to agree. Your whole goal was to unite America, then the world, to help humanity push through. That's why you partnered up with Sam and Fragile. You'd have to suck It up and give him what he wanted.

"Fine." Is all you can reluctantly mutter out.

"Huh? What's that? I couldn't quite hear you." He damn well heard you. He just wanted to hear you say it louder.

"Fine. I'll let you." Head hung low as it could go. Soon it'd have to unfortunately look up.

He gestures for his soilders to let go of you. Shooed off to the sides. Far enough to give you two a couple feet of space. Yet not far enough to allow for any escape attempts. Not like you could escape even if it was just Higgs.

In a swift movement he's at your level, settling himself on your lap, as best as his akwardly lanky self could do so. He barely even hesitates, grabbing your face with both hands, and messily slamming his mouth onto yours. Your knee jerk reaction is to squirm and writhe. It does little, Higgs wasn't going to let you back out of your end of the "bargain".

He makes a show as he makes it go on for longer than needed. Muffled noises of pleasure to your disgust. As everything else about him was. One of his hands starting to grab at whatever he could reach. Groping at your shoulder, side, and thigh. Whatever he felt like.

He finally pulls away when you start to feel lightheaded. Wiping his mouth on his sleeve. Catching his breath for a few moments.

"See? That wasn't so bad was it?" He jests. Giving a quick lick to your cheek in a grotesque mock of a kiss. Well aware he was the only one that got any enjoyment from it.

"Fuck off" you sputter out. Out of breath.

He stays on your lap. Not moving unfortunately. "Ya know.. I'm more than willing to kiss you somewhere else if that's what you wa-"

A loud smack rings out with an accompanied pained grunt from Higgs. The side of his face now red from the impact of you practically bitch slapping him. That makes him get off of you with a huff of anger. Sour look ecthed onto his face. He has got what he wanted and you'd give him nothing more than that. Now he'd hopefully keep his end of the deal. Hopefully.

After his ego recovers the blow he gives you your anwser. "Well I suppose I should get on my way.. assuming Sam hasn't already reached the city and the booms went kaboom. Keep my end of the bargain." He grits through his teeth. Salty still.

Yet his men remained their grip on on you. Even as you pulled and tugged. You look up at Higgs expectantly. You'd kept you end of the deal.

"What? I said I wouldn't blow up the city. Never said a single thing about you leavin." He was right. He'd never said a word about letting you actually leave. Negotiating your freedom wasn't even on the table.

With a golden flash he's gone. Just as quickly as he'd appeared. He'd be back just as fast too to torrent you more later.

[magicandpizza]

Blind Date for the prompts! 💗

Here you go lovely 🥰

4. Blind date

“It’ll be good for you,” Nina says, forcibly pushing Jesper out the door when he starts to drag his feet. “Get yourself out there, forge meaningful relationships etcetera.”

Jesper sighs the weary sigh of all people who are bullied into things by their closest friends. Maybe the blind date that Nina’s set up for him won’t be as bad as he thinks it will be.

-

The blind date is exactly as bad as he thinks it will be.

It starts off promisingly enough. They meet at a bar in central Ketterdam, claiming a miraculously available booth table before Jesper orders their drinks at the bar.

Lucy is what he would describe as classically pretty. Fairly tall, with long blonde hair and blue eyes, but Jesper can tell straight away that there’s no spark between them. He’s willing to give it a shot though, happy enough to make polite conversation and ask Lucy questions about herself, up until he realises that she is entirely self-centred. She dominates the conversation so much that at one point Jesper doesn’t actually speak for a solid ten minutes.

When she — mercifully — excuses herself to the bathroom, Jesper makes a beeline to the bar to get himself another drink. A moment later, another man comes to stand next to him, leaning his elbows on the bar and pinching the bridge of his nose with thinly-veiled irritation.

“Rough night?” Jesper asks, keeping half an eye on his and Lucy’s table and the other in the bartender making his drink.

The man next to him raises his head, and Jesper is struck by just how pretty he is. An angular face, a riot of coppery brown curls and wide, hazel eyes. He looks like something out of a fairytale, or maybe one of Jesper’s more detailed dirty dreams.

“You have no idea,” the man says with a sigh. “Blind date. It’s going horribly.”

“Snap,” Jesper says a little bitterly. He murmurs a thanks as the bartender hands him his drink, taking a sip before elaborating further. “She won’t stop talking about herself.”

“Snap,” says the man. “That and the stock market. I really need to stop going out with bankers.” He orders himself a drink, something strong, then turns back to Jesper. “I’m Wylan.”

“Pretty name for a pretty boy,” Jesper says with a wink, grinning to himself when a light blush dusts Wylan’s cheeks. “I’m Jesper.”

The corners of Wylan’s mouth quirk up. “Pretty name for a pretty boy.”

After that, it’s an easy decision for Jesper to return to Lucy to tell her that she seems nice but it isn’t working out. He pays for her drink and wishes her well, then lingers at the bar while he waits for Wylan to do the same.

Wylan’s date frowns at him, but the man himself doesn’t seem to care, quickly turning on his heel to return to Jesper’s side and seeming a lot happier for it.

They lose track of time talking — actually talking, a real two-sided conversation — and laughing and flirting. It’s the best first date Jesper’s been on in ages.

But unfortunately it has to end at some point. With a glance at his watch, Wylan reluctantly explains that if he doesn’t leave now he’ll miss his last bus, so Jesper offers to walk him to the bus stop. As they leave the bar, Jesper notices that both their dates are still here, apparently now on a date with each other and seemingly having a good time.

At the bus stop, they exchange numbers, already planning to meet the following day for coffee, and when Wylan’s bus finally arrives, he stretches up on his tiptoes to press a chaste kiss to Jesper’s lips, that gorgeous blush still staining his cheeks day-lily pink.

“Bye, Jesper,” Wylan says softly as he steps on the bus.

Lips still tingling from the kiss, Jesper says, “See you tomorrow, gorgeous.”

He’ll have to tell Nina his blind date ended up going better than expected after all.

[lovelyfiction03]

His, mine, ours.

Pairing: Rick Grimes×F!Reader.

Summary: You have two kids and Rick has two kids and together you make a fifth kid for your little blended family.

You have two daughters. Rylie is twelve and Ellie is seven. Their father hasn't been in the picture since you got pregnant with Ellie, long before the world even ended. You didn't know where he was now, but you knew your daughters were better off with him gone.

You have been with the group ever since Atlanta. You were with the group that crossed paths with Rick Grimes in the city and reunited him with his family. You were at the farm where Rick found out about Lori and Shane, you were there to comfort him through those moments. You were there to open Rick's eyes to how dangerous and unstable Shane had become.

You were there when the group turned against Rick for hiding that everyone was infected, and you were there for him when Lori turned against him for killing Shane. You were also there for him when Lori died.

You were there for his children. You didn't just look after your girls, but after Judith and Carl as well.

Now at Alexandria, you still stood dutifully beside Rick, backing him every step of the way.

Your day to day live in Alexandria consisted of training the people that lived there to handle weapons, and taking care of your children. All four of them.

As of recently, you weren't exactly allowed to do anything too dangerous around Alexandria. No runs, no going outside the walls.

It was driving you a little crazy. Rick was driving you a little crazy.

"What are you doing up there?" His voice called out.

You squeezed your eyes shut and let out a soft huff. You knew he was talking to you. You peered over the side of the watch tower. "Keeping watch." You replied.

Rick huffed softly, diverting his gaze in annoyance for a moment. He rested a hand on his hip as he looked up at you. "Come down from there."

"This is arguably the safest place for me to be. Walkers come in here, they can't climb up here." You reasoned with Rick as you leaned against the side of the watch tower.

"Except you will be the first to be spotted if people roll up outside these walls." He reasoned as he stared up at you through narrowed eyes. "Come down please."

You huffed softly, rolling your eyes before taking steady steps down the ladder. You turned to face Rick, placing your hands on your lower back. "Happy?"

"Look...I just want you to be safe." Rick reasoned softly as he took a step closer to you. He reached out and placed his hand over your growing baby bump. "Both of you."

You gave him a look. "Nothing's going to happen in the watch tower." You told him. "You're being paranoid."

"It's what's kept us alive so far." He told you as his head ever so slightly cocked to the side and his eyes diverted. "It's kept you and the kids safe."

"Speaking of kids. Where are they?" You questioned as you wrapped your arms just above your belly.

"Judith is with Olivia, and Rylie and Ellie convinced Carl to play fetch with them," Rick explained. His voice was laced with amusement as he spoke the last sentence.

You watched him silently for a moment, watching as he smiled softly to himself. "What?" You asked him softly as you started walking back towards the house.

"He's so different with them. Like they have this way of bringing the kid out of him." Rick explained with a small smile spread across his lips. "He wouldn't be playing catch with anyone else."

"I'm glad they have each other." You mumbled softly. You came to a stop just across the road from the house. Carl and the girls were on the front lawn with a blue, soccer-sized ball. You silently watched the kids.

Carl was gentle with the two girls, giving Ellie pointers on how to throw the ball correctly and helping her up when she managed to trip over her own feet.

You and Rick approached the kids and they momentarily stopped their game. Ellie was the first to run towards you. "Carl's teaching us to throw a ball." She said happily as she squeezed between you and Rick.

"Ellie almost threw out a window." Rylie snitched as she came over with Carl right beside her.

"It was this close," Carl added as he held up his hands to show you and Rick just how close Ellie came to throwing out a window.

"That true?" Rick asked as he looked down at Ellie, placing his hand gently on the top of her head.

A little bit later that night, you, Rick and the kids were gathered around the dining table. Judith was sitting on your lap as you helped her eat, and Rick was trying to coax Ellie into trying cucumber for the first time.

Ellie looked up with a little scowl. "They're overreacting." She told him softly as she shook her head. Rick laughed in response as he ruffled Ellie's hair.

"I promise you, it's good." Rick told her gently.

"You said that about Brussels sprouts." Ellie reminded him as she quirked an eyebrow.

Rick raised his eyebrows as he silently stared at Ellie for a moment before turning his head to look at you, hoping for help. You looked at him and shrugged your shoulders. "You did tell her that."

"Lied." Carl corrected you. "He lied to her...because Brussels sprouts aren't good."

"They're disgusting actually." Rylie added as she popped a carrot into her mouth and ate it.

"That's...that's funny, because I've seen you three eat old chocolate." Rick reminded the kids as he raised his eyebrows. You laughed softly at the memory, while the kids smiled sheepishly. Rick continued eating. "Mashed potatoes are good."

"Carl made them," I informed Rick while casting a proud smile in Carl's direction.

"You did?" Rick asked as he looked at Carl with raised eyebrows.

"Y/n, let's me help. I've learned to make a lot of things actually." Carl explained with a half-hearted shrug of his shoulders.

"He's getting good." You stated with a small smile. "Bet he could even make Brussels sprouts taste good." You joked as you fed Judith a spoonful of mashed potatoes.

"I bet I could." Carl agreed with a proud nod of his head.

You went to feed Judith another spoonful of mashed potatoes and she looked up at you with her big doe-eyes. "Mama..." she mumbled softly.

You froze. Everyone around the table froze as they looked at Judith. Your eyes shot towards Rick, giving him a wary look.

He didn't react at first as he looked at his daughter. Then he smiled as he stared down at Judith before his gaze flicked to you.

You stared back at him for a moment before looking at Carl. The little boy saw the hesitance in your eyes, how rigidly you waited for his reaction.

Carl smiled. "You're the mom she knows." He said softly as he nodded his head. "We can have two moms." He said as he looked at his baby sister.

A mere few weeks later, you had given birth to your baby. A little boy you named Oliver. Oliver Grimes. The sweetest little boy who was the spitting image of the man you love.

"And two dads," Rylie spoke softly as he looked at Rick. His response was to smile back at the little girl, brushing a hand through her hair.

"Yeah." Rick confirmed softly as he nodded his head.

One night, you were lounging on the couch, cradling Oliver in one arm, holding Judith in the other as she lay against your side. Carl, Rylie, and Ellie were sitting on the floor, playing cards.

Rick walked into the house, pausing when he saw his family in the living room. He turned to face the living room, watching everyone with the smallest hint of a smile on his face.

Ellie saw Rick and jumped up, running towards him. "They're cheating." She told him as she took his hand and led him towards Carl and Rylie.

"How can we cheat at go-fish?" Carl asked as he raised his eyebrows.

"You're a cop. You know when people lie and cheat." Ellie told Rick as she looked up at him. "Watch them and you'll see." She insisted as she let go of his hand and plopped down on the floor again.

Rick laughed softly but agreed to watch for any cheating from Carl and Rylie. He sat down beside you, kissing the top of your head. "Hey."

"Hey." You greeted softly as you leaned into his side.

"How's he been doing?" He asked softly while brushing a hand over Oliver's soft whispy hair.

"Being hungry and sleepy are his only problems right now." You mused softly as you looked at Rick. "And this little monster who won't let him out of her sight." You mused as you nodded down at Judith. She was silently staring down at her little brother, playing gently with his fingers.

"Gotta live up to her big sister title." Rick mused as he reached out to the little girl, carefully lifting her up and into his lap. "You looking after your baby brother, huh?" He asked her softly.

"Ollie." She mumbled softly as she pointed at her baby brother while looking up at Rick.

"Yeah." He mumbled softly as he nodded. His gaze flicked back to the kids on the ground, watching them play cards.

That night, after all the kids had gone off to bed and you put Judith down in her crib, you returned to the bedroom you shared with Rick and Oliver.

You smiled when you saw Rick pace around the room with Oliver cradled in his arms. He looked at you when he heard you enter the room. "Sometimes still doesn't feel real that he's here." He mumbled softly.

"No, it doesn't." You agreed with a shake of your head. "After Ellie, I never thought I'd have another kid. Especially not in all this." You admitted as you approached Rick, softly running your fingers over the baby's soft hair. "I am so happy he's here now."

"Me too," Rick replied softly as he nodded his head. "You know, I'm really thankful for all you do with the kids. You take care of him, your girls, and my kids."

"Our kids," You told him softly.

"Ours." He agreed softly as he nodded his head while looking down at you. Oliver fussed a little in Rick's arms and Rick looked at the baby. "Yeah yeah, I know, buddy." He sighed as he began pacing again.

"That's Daryl's fault you know." You huffed softly as you climbed into bed. "Always walking around with the baby."

"How was your day?" He asked softly as he reached out to brush a strand of hair out of your face.

"Yeah." Rick agreed with a nod of his head as he huffed in amusement.

After a while, the baby fell asleep in Rick's arms and he gently laid Oliver down in the crib beside the bed. Then he approached you, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"I should ask you that, you're the one who's going out there and getting into all kinds of trouble." You commented as you placed your hand over his.

"We have a deal with Hilltop." He informed you as he slowly nodded his head.

"What's the deal?" You asked softly as you raised your eyebrows.

"We just have to take care of a group of people for them." He explained with a shrug of his shoulders. You raised your eyebrows. "No, no. You're not coming with." He denied with a shake of his head.

"Why not?" You asked as your eyebrows furrowed.

"Because I'm not risking losing you." He replied softly as he cupped your cheek gently.

"And if I lose you?" You asked him as your eyebrows furrowed.

"You won't." He assured as he shook his head. "I will always fight to come back home to you and the kids." He whispered as he leaned forward, resting his forehead against yours. "But I won't ever risk you." He said as he lifted his forehead and softly kissed you.

[the-fishh]

I really enjoy the implications that WD Gaster in Deltarune was a therapist before whatever "incident" instead of a scientist like in Undertale. Both being doctors of different kinds, It fits with the full 'similar but different' narrative where characters present in both Undertale and Deltarune have similar occupations to their counterparts.

Because going with the theory that Gaster is the entity behind each tree, you could make the assumption that the Chapter 4 egg room was a distorted memory of some kind.

We know Kris was kind of troubled as a kid. The receptionist recognises Kris when they enter and greets them by name both in the egg room AND in the real Hometown hospital.

In the egg room, the receptionist talks about the patients waiting for Kris, the people waiting being the man behind the tree and So-Sorry the mini-boss from Undertale. Afterwards the Receptionist asks who the patient was, even after previously implying it to be Kris. This is definitely confirmation that things are not as they seem.

(I want to try connect So-Sorry's appearance to the other theory that instead of Undertale's Goners and Amalgamations, Deltarune has missing people that I think are being sacrificed to sustain the distortion of Dess as the knight - But that's just a summary and would fit better in another post.)

Anyways, having Gaster study Psychology and Sociology would be a great fit for what little we know in theory about Deltarune's version of Gaster. Assuming he is also the entity that makes the first connection, making a person with hopes and dreams and personality would better suit a version of Gaster that studied Anthropology. On the flip side, creating the Core and Determination Extractor, Working on experiments and taking Photon Readings matches with the known fact that Undertale's Gaster studied the practical sciences as the Royal Scientist.

This would also maintain the connection between the Dreemurr family and Gaster before his disappearance as Kris' Art Therapist, likely disappearing slightly before Dess. I also think there is something to be made of the Chapter 3 egg room that takes place inside a green videogame setting. the area is called "MANCOUNTRY" by one of the photocopied and coloured in Rudinn's. It ties in with the whole Art thing for one, but it also is a direct parallel to how a Rudinn in Castletown will refer to it as "[Playername]town" connecting it all back to that meta-gaming experience that makes these mysteries and theory's so interesting.

So I think that's all I have gathered in my brain so far, but there are still many many questions. Was it the same incident or two separate paralleling incidents that happened to the Gaster's? Did the two Gaster's combine consciousnesses to create one super doctor with multiple scientific doctorate's full of knowledge of both Anthropology and the Engineering Sciences? Are Deltarune and Undertale Gaster connected in universe or just meant to serve as parallels to each others stories? NOBODY KNOWWWWSSSS!! Except maybe the Deltarune team. But sometimes writing a mystery is more fulfilling if you don't have the solution in mind while writing it.

[cressidagrey]

Omg hi! I love both White Horse and TMMP sm 🩷 if maybe you've answered this before, I'm sorry about that.

I know it's technically impossible because they are different universes, but what do you think the dynamic between Belle Verstappen and Felicity Piastri would be like? I'm just curious, I love them both very much and personally connect with each of them for different reasons, so thinking of them (plus Bee and baby Emilian!) is so cute!

Thank u and have a beautiful day! 🩷🩷

Oh, I love that question!

I think both Belle and Felicity are very similar in a lot of ways:

They both have such a deeply rooted love for their families, but they’ve had very different journeys to get to that place. I think they'd have a mutual respect for each other, especially since both of them are fiercely protective and passionate about the people they love.

I also think that they both had childhoods that were the other side of the same coin: Belle, forgotten but still expected to do everything for her family, while Felicity was pushed to be brilliant and be everything her parents expected her to be.

I think Belle would probably admire Felicity's ability to take charge of situations.

Felicitywould probably appreciate Belle's emotional intelligence. They’d definitely bond over their shared love for their children, Bee and baby Emilian. I imagine there would be a lot of quiet support between them, maybe not tons of words, but a lot of understanding in their glances, especially when it comes to protecting their kids.

If they spent time together, I think there would be a lot of heart-to-hearts over a cup of tea (or coffee, because I see Felicity as a coffee kind of person while Belle might be more of a tea person 😄). They'd probably talk about how overwhelming it can feel, the pressure of being a mom and the love they have for their families. Belle might even share her experience of trying to reconcile her past with her present, and Felicity would definitely be there to listen, offering her wisdom on balancing motherhood with personal ambitions.

[hr-department-05]

Date Everything Headcanons

Diana's closest relationship in the house is Beau.

Incidentally, the only REAL fight Beau and Jacques ever got in was when Jacques was being his dramatic self and insulted Diana. He didn't mean anything by it, but Beau does not play about the people she cares about.

Beau goes out of her way to ask if Diana wants to join her adventures around the house whenever she plans one to make her feel included and give her her own stories to tell instead of just what's written in her.

Diana and Scandalabra have beef with each other.

The objects in the house that don't have actual hair(Beverly, River, Arma, etc.) are incredibly fascinated by the ones who do because they have no idea how to take care of hair since theirs is just...like that.

On the flip side, the objects with high maintenance hair are jealous of them because "What do you mean not only do I have to deal with people with straight hair asking me questions, but also people who can just think about what they want their hair to look like and it's done???"

Multiple people have tried to convince Shelley to just let Tony remount her properly, but she's so far down the rabbit hole of wanting to prove she can do it that she outright refuses.

Betty is the mom of the group to anyone she doesn't sleep with in the house. (Holly and Mateo are her children, and Bobby is her niece/nephew[I'm sorry idk if there's a gender neutral term but ik Bobby's meant to be non-binary], who she used to steal from her mom as a baby, fight me)

Zoey's parents were very worried when they learned who Rudy was and that Zoey was talking with him. They often fought about this, the classic "I'm grown up now and can make my own decisions/we're just trying to protect you" fight. This is why Zoey says "They loved me I think" because deep down she knows now that they really were trying to protect her.

Continuing that thought, Zoey's parents were the ones who called the cops on Rudy when Zoey didn't come home.

Thinking about writing fanfic's for some of these, BUT NO PROMISES. I have more headcanons so I'll post those later, but let me know if yall want me to deep dive into any of these bc I could talk about these characters forever.

[maxdibert]

Honestly, almost everything you said is completely wrong but since I’m in a good mood, I’ll answer without too much venom, because I truly think you simply haven’t read the books and you just know these characters through fanfics:

“Not defending Barty because he's a little silly…”

Calling someone “a little silly” when we’re talking about a man Voldemort considered his most loyal follower, someone who killed his own father, let his mother die in Azkaban in his place, who canonically tortured and killed people, who imprisoned a man in a trunk for months and impersonated him while psychologically and physically tormenting children that’s just absurd. Barty Crouch Jr. is canonically a psychopath. He enjoyed inflicting pain. The fact that the rest of your text focuses on downplaying Severus’ trauma and justifying what happened to him while you dismiss Barty’s actual atrocities as “a little silly” says a lot about your bias.

Let’s be honest: you like Barty because of the aesthetic, because he’s shipped with guys, and because in your unicorn-and-sprinkles fanon you’ve turned him into a poor misunderstood twink who was abused by daddy (false), not understood (false), and who wasn’t a psychopath but merely eccentric (also false). Canon Barty was seen as a model student and no one suspected him of being a Death Eater, that’s what made the reveal so shocking. The version of Barty in your fandom simply doesn’t exist.

But anyway, let’s get to the core of it.

“The purpose behind James and Sirius bullying Snape was because he often talked down to people like Lily and other non-purebloods despite being a pureblood himself…”

First of all: Snape wasn’t pureblood. He was a half-blood i mean literally the title of a whole book in the series. The Half-Blood Prince. If you don’t know that, then you're starting from a place of zero credibility.

Second, James Potter explicitly states in canon that he bullied Snape “because he exists.” That’s a quote. At no point does he say it was ideological or political. James starts picking on Snape from day one, literally on the Hogwarts Express. He’s the one who jumps into Snape and Lily’s conversation to insult him unprovoked. At that point, James had no idea who Snape was hanging out with.

Even Sirius, post-Azkaban, admits they never knew Snape had become a Death Eater, only that he hung around with “the wrong crowd.” So where are you getting this justification from? Which fanfic are you quoting? Because the books say the opposite. They show James hexing people in the hallways “just for fun.” They show him stripping Snape in public and humiliating him because “he exists.” They show him using illegal spells on other students. Were those all future Death Eaters too? No — they were just random students James felt entitled to torment.

“He sought power with the Death Eaters and hated that Lily spent more time with Gryffindors and turned that into hate...”

Again: false. That literally never happens in the books. Snape is never romantically rejected by Lily because he never confesses any romantic feelings to her. They’re childhood friends. She repeatedly says he’s her best friend. Where are you getting this from? What are you talking about? Have you read the books? Any of them?

“On the Jily side of my head compared to Jegulus and Marlily, I headcanon them getting together in 6th or 7th…”

Your headcanons are bullshit. They’re not real. Canon states James and Lily got together in seventh year. That’s it. Regulus and James wouldn’t have touched each other with a ten-foot pole, and Mary McDonald is less important than a soggy Happy Meal toy. She has no face, no history, no personality, stop projecting your OCs into canon.

“The prank in question being when they hung Snape upside down and flashed everyone…”

You seriously consider stripping someone in public and shoving soap into their throat while they’re hanging upside down to be a “prank”? If I grabbed you off the street because I was bored, shoved a bar of soap down your throat and stripped you naked in front of a crowd, would you consider that a prank or a violent, humiliating assault? Be honest.

“Since we only have Snape’s side of the story years later, we don’t know the full picture…”

You sound exactly like people who hear about a woman being assaulted and say “well, we’ve only heard her side.” Do you understand how problematic that line of reasoning is?

Some things are canon. That James and Sirius were disgustingly rich and privileged? Canon. That Snape was dirt-poor and could barely afford clothes? Canon. That James and Sirius bullied people in groups while Snape was always alone? Canon. That their targets were never other rich kids who could fight back? Canon. That their reason for doing it was boredom? Canon.

You know what’s not canon? All the crap you’ve pulled from your fanfics.

Let’s be clear: this narrative you're spinning is explicitly refuted in the books. When Harry sees Snape’s memories, he’s horrified. That scene exists to shatter his idealized image of James, to show that his father was kind of a jerk. He runs to confront Remus and Sirius, and you know what they do? They admit it happened. They don’t deny it. They even joke about it.

And for the record, in literature, they don’t need to spell everything out for you. If Rowling shows you that James did this kind of thing for no reason, that Sirius found it fun, that Lupin passively enabled it and never once intervened — and that it continued into seventh year — that’s all intentional. That’s there to tell you that the bullying was systematic, ongoing, and cruel. You’re supposed to get it.

“The victim-blaming and abuse-excusing aspects of this are problematic…”

No. What’s problematic is pretending someone stops being a victim just because they later make bad choices. Snape did terrible things but that doesn’t erase the abuse he endured. The Marauders bullied and abused him, full stop. Denying that is victim-blaming.

“This fandom has no canon…”

This fandom has seven canon books. That you refuse to read them is your problem. And no, none of this “relies on headcanon.” You choose to ignore canon and make excuses for a gang of privileged bullies. That’s on you and your classism, frankly.

I hope this reply has been clear and comprehensive. If it’s still not enough, I invite you to check out my metas on Snape and the Marauders I’ve written several, and they break down exactly why takes like yours are not only wrong, but deeply problematic.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot, I went on a trip to the dumb side (I was scrolling down the anti Snape tag) and the way people hate Severus not only seems childish and willingly ignorant because 99% of the people are talking about fanon, they hate him because Lily rejected him a million times and he wouldn’t take no for an answer, the irony of these idiots to know nothing about canon but having the courage to brag about their ignorance but the other 1% that calls him an incel feels like a projection, they go on and on how Snape is like guys they’ve known, their hate is blown out of proportion and personal that is hard to take them seriously because again, they have 0 understanding of canon and lastly, I think how they’ve been adopting Barty and Regulus, whitewashing them into poor little boys that were forced to do evil while actively and yet again leaving Severus out of this new trend feels like someone started it and was being petty like ‘see? Even the other nazis were better than Snape’ also they love to be politically incorrect but seriously hating Severus so bad and for non canonical reasons, treating him as the devil incarnate is becoming like a case of mass hysteria because I’ve yet to see someone giving an actual argument against him, not the regurgitation of the same five, six reasons

Golden Trio fans usually hate Severus for being an asshole to the kids (which is fair), while a lot of Voldemort fans hate him basically for being a traitor (also fair, because for them, he was). But Marauders stans don’t actually have any coherent reason. The only thing that really bothers them about Severus is that he was the actual victim of that little gang, and because of him, their favorites are exposed for what they were: a bunch of aggressive, privileged bullies.

Severus is also a problem because he gets in the way of turning Lily into some untouchable saint. If you really look at her choices and priorities, they come off as deeply insensitive and lacking in empathy, considering she ended up marrying a guy she’d seen abuse people for years. And as for James, he’s left looking like a privileged, abusive jerk. And they don’t like that, because for some reason they’ve convinced themselves Lily and James were flawless heroes who should basically be canonized when in reality, they were a hyper-normative, privileged couple who never actually knew what it meant to suffer, and who ended up dead because they thought playing at resistance was a game and because of their own prejudice against the people around them.

Basically, they’ve got nothing in canon to back their headcanons up, because canon makes their faves look like victim-blaming, abuse-excusing, classist assholes. So all they have left is to make up whatever crap they can.